SHILLONG, DEC 10: Ignored by the Meghalaya government to legislate a strong and effective Lokayukta Act, anti-grafts activists in the state have decided to mount pressure on the government by holding a three-day sit-in-demonstration coinciding with the Meghalaya assembly session from Tuesday.
The decision followed the government failure’s to respond to the demand of the ngos to introduce the Lokayukta bill in the assembly session.
“We will hold a sit in demonstration as a protest as well as to pressurize the state government to implement the Lokayukta to check rampant corruptions in the state,” Meghalaya Right to Information Movement (MRTIM) leader Michael Syiem told reporters at a news conference Monday.
Earlier, chief minister Mukuk Sangma had assured a delegation of the MRTIM of convening the all party meeting on December 4 to discuss their demand, but the meeting did not take place.
The MRTIM is demanding for the repeal of the Lokayukta Act 2002 by introducing a strong and effective Lokayukta Act.
Lambasting the government, Syiem said, “The cold attitude of the government only indicates that it is not keen to have a government that is transparent and accountable.” He added that this indicates that corruption is only going to increase in the state.
According to Syiem, with scams in the state hitting the headlines regularly, there is a need for a strong act to deal with the issue and prosecute the people involved in the scams.
However, Syiem lamented, “With the new proposed Lokayukta Act covering right up to the Chief Minister down to his officials and staffs it might also be the reason as to why the government is hesitating to introduce the Act.”
The Meghalaya Assembly Speaker had rejected the resolution submitted by the UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh to have a strong Lokayukta Act besides motion to discuss on CBI report on the anomalies in the appointment of teachers.
Joining the chorus for a strong Lokayukta act, KSU president Daniel Khyriem said, “We condemn the lack of seriousness on the part of the government on the issue and for even preventing some legislators to bring their resolution during the assembly session.
The sit in demonstration will be held at the parking lot adjacent to the additional secretariat in the city from 10 am onwards which the ngos are saying is part of their continuing campaigning to make people aware for the need of the a strong act to deal with spiraling corruption. –By Our Reporter
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