Another UP minister under Lokayukta scanner

Another cabinet minister of the Mayawati government has come under the scanner of the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta for alleged misuse of office.

"A complaint has been received against Energy Minister Ramveer Upadhyaya on which a notice has been issued to him. The chief minister has also been apprised," Lokayukta Justice N K Mehrotra said.

He said that the minister has been given 10-day time to submit his reply.

The move comes after a complaint was lodged by Samajwadi

Party's Hathras district president Devendra Agarwal, who has accused Upadhyaya of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, misusing his local area development fund and land grabbing.

He has also enclosed a number of documents, including details of properties in different districts of the state, official sources said.

Bharatiya Janata Party had earlier lodged a complaint against Upadhyaya relating to power purchase by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited.

In response to the complaint, Upadhyaya had issued a legal notice to BJP's national secretary Kirit Somaiya accusing him of levelling baseless charges with an intention of maligning his image.

Currently, the Lokayukta is probing complaints relating to misuse of office, land grabbing and disproportionate assets against six ministers.

There are also complaints pending against 10 MLAs and chairmen of six corporations, while Culture Minister Subhash Pandey and BJP MLA Moti Singh have been absolved of charges.

Four ministers Rajesh Tripathi, Awadhpal Singh, Rangnath Mishra and Badshah Singh have already been removed on the basis of the Lokayukta's report.