PRISM demands quick establishment of Lokayukta

Newmai News Network Aizawl | January 18   Mizoram's anti-corruption watchdog turned political party, People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) on Thursday demanded the state government of Mizoram to immediately set up Lokayukta, an anti-corruption ombudsman to eradicate corruption in the state.   The anti-corruption watchdog turned political party in a statement slammed the Lal Thanhawla led Congress government for failing to establish the ombudsman despite a promise being made before the 2013 assembly election that it will set up the same during its tenure.   “The Congress vowed to set up Lokayukta, if it comes to power in the 2013 assembly elections, but fails to execute the same till date,” the statement said.   PRISM said that Congress had promised to uproot corruption in the state before the 2008 assembly election and mentioned in its manifesto about the formation of vigilance commission within five years of its term. However, Lal Thanhawla led Congress government failed to form Vigilance Commission during its 5 years long term, the statement said.   The Congress again vowed to set up Lokayukta before the 2013 assembly elections and allocated Rs 159.34 lakh for the establishment of  the ombudsman in the 2016-2017 annual budget. During the current fiscal year, the Congress government again allocated budgetary fund to the tune of Rs. 159.34 lakh for the establishment of Lokayukta. However, the government failed to establish the same even in the final stage of its tenure, PRISM said.   It said that the failure to establish Lokayukta on the part of the Congress government in spite of promises made before the assembly elections is a manifestation of the Congress government not having real intention to establish the same and that it did not go against corruption.   Slamming the state government for failing to establish Lokayukta, PRISM also questioned the where about of fund allocated for establishment of the ombudsman in state annual budget.   PRISM said that it would establish an independent Lokayukta which can even book former chief ministers, if it comes to power in the next assembly elections.