Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday called on public servants and the people to promote transparency and accountability in the system for eradication of corruption.
In a message on the observance of Vigilance Week the governor expressed concern that ‘greasing the palms of public servants’ to get favours has become the norm rather than an exception. Kumar said that the Naga society, once known for its simplicity, honesty and simplicity, has completely changed in the present day.
He highlighted the steps by the Centre such as Right to Information Act 2005 and Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, to ensure transparency saying that Parliament was in the process of passing the Lokpal Bill to combat corruption. Nikhil said that the anti-corruption drive would succeed only if it was like a public-private-partnership.
In a separate message, the chief minister pointed out that India still ranked 84th in the corruption according to a Transparency International survey in 2009. Referring to the recent controversies in the country arising out of the 2G scam, Commonwealth Games and Cash-for-Vote scam, Rio said the events only revealed how deeply rooted corruption was.
Rio described the recent movements against corruption in support of the Lokpal Bill as a very positive indication that the society yearned for a corruption-free country and that it needed to be tackled firmly. (PTI)