Dimapur, October 21 (MExN): The damning publication of CAG reports over the years with no action taken is proof that the Government of Nagaland intend to keep the Lokayukta as a decorative piece without any power and functions, according to ACAUT Nagaland.
Terming it as the ‘worst-case scenario’ in a democracy, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) urged the two search committee members to immediately submit the names for the post of Lokayukta; and the government to appoint the rightful Lokayukta at the earliest and implement the Lokayukta Act in letter and spirit.
“ACAUT also demands that the State Vigilance Commission should be restored at the earliest to look into mounting corruption cases pertaining to government servants for befitting disciplinary actions against the erring officials,” it said in a press release issued through its Media Cell on Friday.
In the release, ACAUT recounted the events that followed the Nagaland Governor’s assent to the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2017, the premature stepping down of the first Lokayukta of Nagaland, Justice Uma Nath Singh, and the subsequent Lokayukta (Amendment No 2) Bill, 2021 which has led to the state of Nagaland being without a Lokayukta since February 5, 2020.
“The Lokayukta continues to be headless for the second year to the undue political advantage of the opposition-less UDA Government without any checks and balances in place,” it underscored.
“The most powerful legal institution against corruption which did not have the qualified Lokayukta nor the complete designated members but manned by a political appointee as Upa Lokayukta is condemnable by every right thinking citizen. In fact the prestigious post of Upa Lokayukta should be occupied by person of impeccable integrity, valid qualification and without any party affiliation,” the release stated.
Meanwhile, it also said that the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) had failed to fulfil its 2018 election campaign promise to “fight against corruption, centralization of power, and restore rule of law in the state,” and thus, have proved wrong its motto of “Facta non verba.”
“It is only logical that an unchecked opposition-less UDA Government would be mired with scams, corruption cases, gross mis-governance and financial mismanagement leading to CBI and ED knocking at various departments,” it added.
