Shillong, Dec 19: With the government’s recent passing of a weak Act, the demand for a strong ‘Lokayukta Act’ to check on corruption continues to ‘get-more-louder’ in the state. Several NGOs of the state today decided to resort to stern agitations to pressurize the government to formulate a strong ‘Lokayukta Act’ even as they challenge political parties to dare speak-out against corruptions and the manner the Bill was being passed.
Organized by 19 NGOs, the meeting was held to garner public support in fighting for a strong Act. Hitting hard on the weak Lokayukta Act implemented by the government, the NGO’s display their protest against the act which they described as a law that betrays its very essence.
President of the All jaintia Youth welfare organisation (AJYWO) M.H Dkhar questioned the claims of the government of having a law that can take on corruption. “The act is silent on the suo motto powers of the Lokayukta, it does not have an investigating wing and make no reference to the findings made through the Right to information (RTI)”, stated Dkhar.
President of the Khasi students Union (KSU) Daniel Khryriem felt that the state has a frail Lokayukta because the government failed to recognize the voice of the people. He said that the government never called the NGOs for consultations and discussions before formulating the Lokayukta bill. Expressing his concern over the way the bill was formulated and passed hastily in the state assembly, Khyriem warned, “Don’t force us to take agitation path”.
“We wanted an amended format (of the act) and that format should compose of clauses that will nail corrupt elements and corruption to the core”, Khryiem stated.
Convenor of MRTIM, Michael Syiem spoke at length on the importance to have a strong Lokayukta like in the state of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Lamenting on the way the government pushed the Lokayukta bill in the just concluded winter session of the state assembly, Syiem also appealed to the people to be ready for an agitation, if the government continue to turn a deaf ear to their demand for an outright change of the Lokayukta act.
Besides, other speakers who spoke at the meeting highlighted on the different scams the state has witnessed over the past decades including the recent Education job scam unearthed by the CBI, the ICDS scam of the Social Welfare department and land allotment to bureaucrats in the state
The speakers include Meghalaya Right to Information Movement (MRTIM) leader Michael Syiem, Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) president, Daniel Khyriem, RTI activist Angela Rngad, CSWO leader, Anges Kharshiing besides others.(SP News)
