Governor’s intervention sought to speed up rules for Nagaland Lokayukta

Dimapur, July 24 (EMN): Two Naga social activists have urged the governor of Nagaland to intervene in the matter of framing rules for Nagaland Lokayukta without any further delay, to enable the office to function without any hindrances.

In a representation to the governor dated July 16, the two activists Odi Jamir and T Yapang Lkr, stated that though the Nagaland Lokayukta office started functioning since the last three years and five months, no rules have been framed by the government of Nagaland with respect to the Nagaland Lokayukta office till date.

Pointing out that it is imperative on the part of the government to frame rules of a new office before it starts functioning, the activists expressed surprise on how the state government has allowed the functioning of an ombudsman department without “rules” for such a long time.

The duo said that on numerous occasions when they filed cases in the Nagaland Lokayukta, both the appellant and the employees faced many hurdles and obstacles due to absence of specific rules and regulations.

The representation reminded that the Nagaland Lokayukta Act was passed in 2017 and subsequently in a notification dated January 23, 2019, the governor of Nagaland constituted a high power committee (HPH) to give effect to Section 36 of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act 2017.

The HPC was assigned to consider and bring out the Nagaland Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta (Condition of Service Rules, and to give effect to Section 36 of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act, 2017 on the transfer of service condition for staff under state Vigilance Commission to Lokayukta, the representation stated.

“It is therefore, requested to Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland to kindly intervene in the matter of framing Rules for Nagaland Lokayukta without any further delay, so as to enable to function the Nagaland Lokayukta office without any hindrances and deliver the Justice up to the extent of public expectation,” it added.

The representation further stated that in the interest of public service, the government should provide enough manpower, conveyance for mobilisation, strong rules and regulations and sufficient for smooth functioning of Nagaland Lokayukta.