Ngos take Lokayutka fight to Sonia’s court

SHILLONG, APR 15: Taking its campaign for a strong and effective Lokayukta act in Meghalaya to a different level, the ngos that normally takes to the streets to put pressure on government to accept its demand(s) have prudently taken a political path by petitioning the UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to use her power and make the Congress led Meghalaya government to legislate the act in line with the central Lok Pal and Lokayutak Bill, 2011.

The ngos consisting of the KSU, MRTIM, TUR,  FKJGP, CSWO, KWWADA, Maitshaphrang and others dispatched the petition to Sonia Gandhi on Monday, wherein it gave brief historical details about their fight for a strong and effective Lokayutka in Meghalaya and the state government continued disregard in legislating a Lokayukta that is strong and independent.

Requesting Gandhi to intervene and ensure that the Lokayukta in Meghalaya embodies the provisions as championed by her  through the central Lok Pal and Lokayukta Bill 2011, the ngo said in the petition that their struggles for a strong and effective Lokayukta in Meghalaya has going on for several years and the Meghalaya government tabled a bill only in December 2012.

The bill, complaint the ngos,  was weak and ineffective and after  the ngos and opposition in the assembly demanded that it be reworked keeping in mind provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 of the centre, the state governor also withheld his assent and has sent back the bill to the government.

The ngos informed that the MUA II government has now tabled an amendment bill which continues to be flawed and betrays her vision for a strong and effective anti corruption mechanism as reflected in the Lokpal and Lokayukta central bill of 2011, the petition requested Sonia Gandhi to use her power and impress upon the government led by her party to respect the efforts made by her by ensuring that the Meghalaya  government  follow and uphold the model provisions outlined in the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 in the impending state act.  For a good measure, the ngos also informed the Congress president that the Meghalaya assembly will end its session on April 18.