Dimapur, August 18 : The leadership of the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has submitted to the Nagaland government a list of possible inclusions that could be included in the anti-corruption legislation, the Lokayukta Act, over fears that it would not become ‘another paper tiger like the State Vigilance Commission.’
A delegation of the ACAUT met with the Standing Committee on Lokayukta, constituted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, in Kohima town on the 17. The delegation submitted ‘the points’ to be included in the final draft of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act, the organization informed in a press release issued to the media on Thursday.
The ACAUT has also sought that the final draft be made public before it is passed in the assembly.
The Standing Committee is led by Chairman Livi Rengma, and comprise members C Apok Jamir, R Tohanba and Dr TM Lotha. The ACAUT expressed apprehension that the body might be ‘misused for political vendetta.’
“On its part, the ACAUT voiced apprehension that the Lokayukta should not become another paper tiger like the State Vigilance Commission whereby even its suo moto power has been taken away with by the state cabinet, an issue first raised by the NTC,” the ACAUT stated.
“The Standing Committee was also apprised of the danger of senior bureaucrats on the verge of retirement lobbying for membership in the Lokayukta.”
Therefore, the organization stated, to discourage the ‘political practice of rewarding loyal bureaucrats’ with membership in various constitutional and statutory bodies, the ACAUT has proposed a ‘cooling off’ period of at least 5 years after retirement before any retired bureaucrat could be considered for "the august office".'
The ACAUT informed to have told the committee that the anti-corruption ombudsman had nothing to do with Article 371 (A). For said reason, citing reasons that the Lokayukta violated Article 371 (A) had no logical basis, the organization reminded. Article 371 (A) is frequently misinterpreted to suit vested interests, the anti-graft group lamented.
“By and large, the ACAUT voiced concern that the Nagaland Lokayukta Act should truly satisfy the people of Nagaland; that it should be able to address the unfettered corruption taking place wantonly and with impunity.”
Dilution of the final Lokayukta draft is a serious concern, the organization stated.
The ACAUT has requested the committee to make the final draft public before it is passed in the coming winter session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
