Guv calls for transparency in public life
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Governor RS Mooshahary has made a candid call to State politicians to adopt transparency in public life.
Speaking at a function after releasing a booklet that highlights the financial and developmental activities undertaken in 21-Mawprem Constituency by local legislator Manas Chaudhuri here on Saturday, Mooshahary said, “Every elected representative must share these information with the public and added with more than Rs 1 crore at their disposal annually, the 60 MLAs can make a huge change in the pace of development of the State.”
Commending Chaudhuri’s sense of accountability as an MLA, he urged upon all other legislators and parliamentarians to follow suit.
The Governor decried the spectre of corruption in high places and said, “Corruption is the biggest enemy of the people of this country.”
He appealed to the youth to expose corruption and urged upon them not to follow any ‘immoral’ path.
Commenting on the RTI Act, which he described as a useful tool for digging out information from the Government, the Governor asked the people to make full use of the noble Act.
He, however, lamented that the State Government had failed to appoint a new CIC in place of the previous incumbent for such a long time now.
“I have advised the Government to appoint the new CIC without any further delay,” he added.
The Governor was also of the opinion that unlike in the past, politics as a career can provide a “decent livelihood” to people, now that politicians receive big pay packets and adequate pension benefits.
Mooshahary, during the course of his speech, also mentioned that as a youth, he had aspired to join politics to serve the community but was compelled to seek ‘better’ options because of lack of adequate salary and monetary support available those days.
Earlier, the Governor released a mid-term report which furnished details of funds received by Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri (2008 to March 2011) by way of MLA LAD scheme, salary and allowances, discretionary grants etc. and the manner in which the fund were spent on developmental activities and aids to individuals and organisations in the constituency.
This is the third mid-term report released by Chaudhuri. Other MLAs who have done a similar job in the past include Late TH Rangad and Late Ardhendu Chaudhuri.
The report released on Saturday is only a mid-term report. As part of his commitment to transperancy and accountability as an MLA, Chaudhuri will submit the final report in January 2013.
Earlier, in his address the local legislator said morality in public life was diminishing because the society itself did not put value on it. He said Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption would come to naught unless the citizens themselves practiced what they expected from their elected representatives.
On this occasion, the Ardhendu Chaudhuri Charitable Trust (ACCT) which runs almost entirely on the salary and perks of Manas Chaudhuri, in its report said during the past two-and-half years, the Trust spent over Rs 14 lakh for providing financial support to the poor and the needy in respect of education of school children, pension to the old and the infirm, medical assistance etc.
One of the most innovative schemes launched by the Trust provides for free allotment of essential commodities to over hundred BPL families each month. 60 students who performed brilliantly in the recent Board examinations were also felicitated at the function. Besides, a Mortuary Van was launched for Mawbah locality while sewing machines were distributed to the poor residents of the constituency.
Among others who spoke on the occasion were Trust secretary Pinak Gupta, Col Anjan Dutta and Kong Phyllis Rani.