SHILLONG: A demand for the state government employees to declare their assets, source of income, and their dependents’ source of income under Lokayukta Act, from the highest rank to the lowest rank was made by activists in the state.
Convener of Mait Shaphrang Movement, Michael Syiem, demanded that the state government should issue notification to insist all state government employees should do the same.
“The state government employees from the Chief Minister to the lowest rank of employees should declare their assets, source of income and dependents’ source of income,” he said.”
He added, “In line with the provisions of the Lokpal Act, the state government should issue a notification before the elections that all government employees should declare the assets, source of income and dependents’ source of income.”
Referring to political parties, Syiem said, “Every political party want transparency and accountability, so now that the elections are near, let us see which party or individual supports or declare that is they win they will implement the Lokyukta.”
Maintaining that the Lokyukta Act is a very strong act which is framed to be in line with Lokpal Bill, Syiem said that many politicians are scared of Lokyukta Act as they will have to declare their assets, source of income and dependents source of income and any undeclared assets will be seized under the Act.
Commenting on this, CSWO president, Agnes Kharshiing, quipped and said, “Not only politicians but mainly bureaucrats who are hiding assets. It is the bureaucrats who have failed the state. The delay shows there is lacuna in the bureaucracy.”
According to Syiem, Lokyukta Act has the power to investigate and prosecute within a time bound period of six months and the latest will be two years.
“With the implementation of the Lokyukta Act, the Right to Information (RTI) Act becomes stronger as it has the power to not only investigate and prosecute but seized property also,” he said.
He also pointed out that till date the state government has not appointed members of Lokayukta which includes a Chairperson and 4 members.
“With the election which is going to be held very soon, I doubt whether the government will appoint,” he remarked.
It may be recalled that Meghalaya Assembly passed the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill 2014 after the Government brought an amendment to make the Act more effective and stronger to check the instances of corruption.
