By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 8: The state government has defended its move to sack three Lokayukta officers while denying any interference with the functioning of the anti-graft panel.
Cabinet minister and NPP leader, Ampareen Lyngodh told reporters on Monday that the government is not mandated to interfere with the Lokayukta’s functioning and the chief minister has never meddled in its matters.
Stating that the termination of the officers was in adherence to the provisions of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act of 2014, she said the government identified anomalies in the selection of certain Lokayukta members, specifically in the positions of the director of inquiry and the director of prosecution and recommended corrections.
Lyngdoh’s clarification followed a threat by the Voice of the People’s Party to launch a stir over the sacking of the three Lokayukta investigation officers.
Earlier, it was alleged that the state government unceremoniously sacked the trio through a WhatsApp message for unearthing a major scam in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) involving an MLA of the ruling NPP.
The axed officials are former IPS officer and director of inquiry and prosecution, J. Rymmai; and enquiry-cum-investigating officers R. Pde and Anil K. Sangma.
Their sacking is said to be associated with the charge-sheeting of Mahendraganj MLA, Sanjay A. Sangma for anomalies in the construction of an MDC hostel. The MLA is the brother-in-law of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
According to Lyngdoh, the government recommended a panel of names to the Meghalaya Lokayukta’s office, and necessary corrections were made.
The political advisor of the government, H.M. Shangpliang clarified that according to Sections 10(2) and 11 of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act of 2014, officers or staff must originate from the department and retired government personnel cannot be part of the department.
Shangpliang also said the appointed officers were retired personnel from the Home (Police) Department and their appointments were interim. He added that the appointment for the director of inquiry was issued in October 2022. The inquiry officers’ appointments were issued in March 2023.
Shangpliang said that in line with the provisions of the Act (Sections 10 and 11) when the government deemed it necessary, names were submitted to the Lokayukta for the selection of the officers.
On December 19, 2023, the Meghalaya Lokayukta office selected IAS officer I.W. Ingty as the director of inquiry and prosecution along with three MPS officers – Chalang G. Momin, John C. Sangma, and Banteilang Diengngan – as members.