Demand for immediate selection of search panel for Lokayukta

SHILLONG: The Campaign for an Independent Lokayukta in Meghalaya comprising of several civil society groups including TUR, KSU, HNYF, FKJGP, GSU, KWADA, AJYWO, Maitshaphrang Movement, Meghalaya Right To Information Movement, Lympung ki Seng Kynthei and others from several districts and villages of the State has informed that the Selection Committee which is mandated by Sec 4(1) of the Lokayukta Act has not had a single sitting yet to constitute the five-member Search Committee as provided for by Sec 4 (3) of the Act which is essential for finding the chairperson and three other members who will form the Lokayukta.
The Selection Committee consists of the chief minister as chairperson, leader of the opposition, speaker, chief justice of the High Court of Meghalaya or a High Court judge nominated by the chief justice and an eminent person nominated by the Governor.
The Campaign said that the lapse on the part of the chief minister was regrettable considering that in October 2014 the chief minister had announced that within five months he would see to it that there will be a full-fledged Lokayukta in Meghalaya.
The Campaign has demanded an immediate sitting of the Selection Committee to constitute the Search Committee in a transparent manner and make the selection public.
The Campaign further demanded immediate operationalization of the Lokayukta rules for Annual Declaration of assets by public servants    including elected representatives, officers and all govt servants given that the chief minister had earlier assured that all formalities for the same were more or less complete.
This annual declaration of assets should be made public and made available online as soon as possible so that citizens can be proactive in checking disproportionate assets of public servants which is a key indicator of corruption and misuse and abuse of power, the Campaign said, while indicating that it was prepared for more intensive action if the demands were not met.