Lokayukta:Almost says CM,ngos 30 days

SHILLONG, SEPT 2: Even as Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said the draft rules that includes additional rules for assets declaration by public servants for operationalising of the Lokayukta Act in the state is in its final stage, the ngos have given the state government a month’s time to appoint the Lokayukta.

On Wednesday Sangma told newsmen,  “We are almost in the final stage and the rules will have to be put up before the cabinet for its decision and deliberation.” Sangma told newsmen after a meeting with the ngos.

Sangma also informed that the government will also study whether the rules meets and is in sync with the objective already reflected and captured in the act. He said, “If there is need for fine tuning of the rules or to ensure rules become capable of ensuring better clarity during implementation of the act, then we will give direction to the department accordingly and give them time again to come back to the cabinet.” He said as of now the overall draft rules for consideration of the cabinet is ready.

Informing that the selection committee which would be looking at the appointment of Lokayukta has already been constituted, Sangma said, “The rules will be responsible for  regulating the manner in which various government employees will have to submit their returns and asset declaration.”

Sangma further said the government has decided to give personnel department with the task  of receiving the returns and submission of assets declaration adding, “We hope that the rules once brought for the consideration of the cabinet will be able to notified and put in place.”

According to Sangma this initiative will go a long way in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance and people associated in the affairs of governance.

However, , the ngos- TUR, KSU, GSU, FKJGP, CSWO, HNYF, JYF, JSU, KWADA, MRTIM and others- have demanded the state government complete the process of establishment of the Lokayukta within a month’s time.

“We want the government to ensure that the search committee be constituted as well as the names of the members be made public,” TUR leader Angela Rngad told reporters. She also said that the delegation have also demanded the rules regarding declaration of assets by public servants (including their wives) and it should be in place before the upcoming assembly session slated on September 16.

She also informed that the ngos deadline is in the context of the assurance given by the chief minister on October last year that the Lokayukta will be operationalised within 5 months’ time.- By Our Reporter