Kohima, February 4 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) today called the State Government to allow Lokayukta to “work independently without lack of prosecution powers and also to provide sufficient manpower with proper facilities so as to enable Lokayukta to work in Nagaland as the most effective and powerful statutory body that is empowered to probe complaints of abuse of position and corruption against public servants.”
The NVCO in a press release from its Press & Media Cell, meanwhile welcomed Lokayukta in the state and expressed happiness for the appointment of former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court as Lokayukta in implementing the Nagaland Lokayukta Act 2017.
It also stated that the main objective of Lokayukta is to curb the menace of corruption and investigate any complain or matter against public servants or officials relating to corruption, mal-administration, favouritism or nepotism.
The organization also envisaged that 2019 be the Year of ‘Social Justice’. “To guarantee Social Justice in our Naga society, our so called leaders in power especially legislators, bureaucrats and technocrats are to be honest,” it said.
Citing instance of corruption in the state, the NVCO recalled Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) report which was placed before the 13 Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The release said that it included 25 cases of mis-appropriation involving government money amounting to Rs. 230.33 crores up to March 31, 2017 pertaining to 14 departments.
“Besides CAG report we have high rate of corruption in a form of nepotism, favouritism, embezzlement, extortion, backdoor appointment, deduction of contractors bill by way of commission in the name of Party fund,” it added.
NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi also expressed that “Social Justice is the need of the hour and the citizens of the state look up to Lokayukta to work without fear in bringing social justice to the Naga society.”
