By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In what could be seen as a fallout of the arrest and subsequent release of ‘whistle blower’ Agnes Kharshiing, several NGOs of the State on Wednesday mounted pressure on the Government to act against the then Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and the erring officials who were allegedly involved in tampering of mark sheets of deserving candidates to the post of assistant teachers in Government Lower Primary schools last year.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing was arrested by the police on Tuesday morning based on the FIR filed by the deputy secretary of the Meghalaya Secretariat Administrative Department (SAD), E Lyngdoh at Sardar police station alleging that the CSWO president forcibly entered the Main Secretariat building along with three other women without proper authorization on March 20.
Questioning the delay on part of the government in acting in accordance with the findings of the CBI which also named Ampareen in the education scam, KSU president Daniel Khyriem asked “What is stopping the State Government from taking action against the erring officers and the then Education Minister?” The adamant attitude of the government has deprived the deserving candidates of their right to earn their livelihood and spoilt their career.”
Stating that there could be a hidden motive behind the government’s response towards the demand seeking action against those involved in the scam, Khyriem said that it is about time the government reveals the enquiry report of High Level Scrutiny Committee (HLSC) constituted to study the matter, so that the public is aware of the truth.
The education department had last year formed a scrutiny committee with the approval of the division bench of the court to investigate the matter. Though the court gave the Committee six months to complete the task, it is seeking further extension.
In addition, social activists allege that the police are going slowly on the FIR filed against those involved in the tampering of mark sheets.
FKJGP president Joe Marwein sought immediate action from the government against the erring officials of the education department stating that the report which brought the scam to light was provided by ‘a reliable source called the CBI.’
“The government should first focus on major scams rather than pinning on local NGOs who are trying to bring things to the right track”, he said.
Maitshaphrang Movement (MSM) Convener, Michael Syiem lambasted the government for its biasness, drawing attention to the swift action on part of the police while acting in accordance with the FIR filed against the CSWO president and the laidback attitude of the government in taking action against the officers involved in tampering the marksheets of the candidates.
“The tampering of marksheets is a serious offence and a breach of trust, unlike the case against Kharshiing, which was not criminal in nature”, Syiem said adding that the reaction of the government was unjustified.
RTI activist Angela Rangad observed that the police only act on orders ‘received from the top’ which is a shame in a democratic country.
Stating that there are many scams which have been unearthed in the past like the ICDS, NREGS and the education scam, Rangad said, “Actions are delayed simply because the deadlines to submit the reports are extended from time to time thereby weakening the case with an intention to make the people as well as the NGOs lose interest in it.”
The RTI activist also maintained that they will not allow the government to downplay the whole situation and abuse people’s right.