Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 tabled on day-1

State Vigilance Commission to be removed Kohima Bureau Kohima, Dec. 14 (EMN): With a strong felt need for an independent institution such as Lokayukta to check corruption headed by a retired supreme court judge or a retired high court judge as the chairman, as demanded by several sections of the Naga society, the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2015 was introduced during the 9th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on July 23, 2015. Two years after it was introduced, the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2015 report was presented for consideration and adoption by Levi Rengma during the 19th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on December 14. After a study tour to the state of Karnataka and Goa to acquaint with the implementation of their Lokayukta and seven rounds of meetings including consultative meetings with the concerned government department, sub-committee and Acaut, the committee has finally come out with its report. In the report it stated that the proposed Bill seeks to establish Lokayukta for the state of Nagaland to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The select committee comprising of five members have been extended twice. In its report it was stated that ‘owing to legal complexities involved in the Bill, the tenure of the Committee was extended twice on November 22, 2016 (14th session) and May 27, 2017 (16th session).’ Various organisations have come together in support of the demand for immediate implementation of the Lokayukta Bill in the state followed by a public resolution taken on August 25 at a mass rally organised by Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) and another rally at Secretariat, Kohima on November 12. Dissatisfied with the draft Bill, Acaut has rejected the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2015 terming it as ‘useless’ and submitted a ‘draft proposal’ followed by a series meetings on Sept. 18, 26 and Nov. 20. The report stated that during its final meeting on Nov. 21, the report of the sub-committee was thoroughly examined, approved and adopted. The Bill also refers the 'Anti-corruption, Grievance Redressal' and the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 to protect whistle blowers in the government. The bill has a clause for repealing the resolution of the constitution of the State Vigilance Commission. However till the Lokayukta comes into force, the functioning of the State Vigilance Commission will continue and laws passed pertaining to the it will be kept alive and come under the purview of the Lokayukta. The staff of the Lokayukta administration also shall initially consist of the posts of the Nagaland State Vigilance Commission.