By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Right to Information (MRTI) activists on Tuesday demanded the State government to repeal the Meghalaya Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act, 2002 and to appoint a strong and independent institution to take actions in a fast track court.
“Through RTI, many scams has been unearthed during the last few years in our State but sadly there have never been a case where actions were taken against the people responsible simply because, the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2002 is a toothless and anti people law”, MRTI chief Michael Syiem told reporters here on Tuesday.
The Meghalaya Lokayukta Act was passed way back in 2002 and the rules were made only five years later in 2007.
Syiem said the government needs to implement an effective anti-corruption mechanism in Meghalaya to control corruption and as of now, “we have no faith in the government to take actions against the accused persons”.
MRTI chief also informed that they will be launching their first campaign to pressurize the government to repeal the existing act and introduce a new effective commission starting with a joint meet with the different stakeholders to be held on November 19.
“We also demand the Government to introduce the Lokayukta Act in the 3-day winter session on December and until then, we will continue with the campaign”, Syiem said.
“Under the present law, this act should ensure that it covers everyone right from the chief minister to his peon and setting up of this anti-corruption commission should be fair and transparent”, RTI activist Angela Rangad said adding that it will also cover non-governmental entities.
Under the present law, the Lokayukta would be a body with investigating and recommendatory powers, Rangad said while adding that it would have no power to initiate suo moto investigation and prosecute or punish corrupt public servants.
“The law will provide protection to the complainant who is in danger for disclosing facts on certain corrupt practices,” the RTI activist said. The commission will comprise of three persons, one with legal background and others from other civil societies, Rangad added.
Further, Rangad stated that if the government raises issues of funds constraint then they even have a remedy for that. “The government could cut 5 percent from the funds sanctioned by the union for every centrally sponsored scheme for the State to ensure that this commission runs without any deficit”, she said.
