By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Civil Societies of the state have upped their protest in support of the anti-corruption stir by social activist Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill even as some of politicians have complained that the civil societies are interfering in matters of Parliamentary procedure pertaining to the Lok Pal Bill.
The civil societies have slammed politicians saying that Meghalaya Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act, 2000 were passed by the State Assembly in 2007 but it has not been implemented in the State as yet.
Noted RTI activist Michael Syiem, while talking to media persons here on Friday, said “the Bill, which pertains to investigation of corruption cases, was passed by the Assembly in 2004, but the successive state governments have not done anything in this regard.”
The Civil Societies have also reiterated their support to Hazare’s demand for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill.
Another Civil Society member Agnes Kharshiing said, “It is sad that people in Meghalaya are not coming out although they know corruption is prevalent here.”
Stating that corruption exists in the state, the members of the Civil Societies pointed out that in the 2001 census the percentage of people in the state under BPL category was 49 percent and in 2011 census the percentage has increased to 66 percent.
“This is a clear indication of the fact that instead of people getting economically better the trend is reversing,” they said.