Lucknow: After being indicted by Uttar Pradesh
Lokayukta, Minister of State Ratan Lal Ahirwar on Thursday resigned,
becoming the fifth tainted minister to have put in his papers.
"Minister of State for Ambedkar Village Development
Department Ahriwar submitted his resignation this morning and
it has been accepted by Governor B L Joshi," an official
said here.
Panchayati Raj Minister Swami Prasad Maurya has been given
charge of the department, he said.
Ahirwar is the fifth minister to be removed from the post
after Rajesh Tripathi, Awadhpal Singh, Rangnath Mishra and
Badshah Singh, who too faced corruption charges.
Ahirwar was reportedly summoned by Chief Minister Mayawati
yesterday triggering speculation regarding his resignation.
Lokayukta Justice N K Mehrotra in his report sent to the
Chief Minister on Monday recommended removal of Ahirwar,
indicting him on charges of misusing his local area
development fund and encroaching on village land.
Justice Mehrotra said Ahriwar should be removed from the
post as the case cannot be finalised if he continues to be
the minister.
The Lokayukta also sought recovery of funds allocated to a
school run by his trust.
PTI
