Dimapur, Oct. 21 (EMN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has urged the two search committee members -- State Chief Secretary and Advocate General of Nagaland – and the government to appoint a Lokayukta at the earliest and implement the Lokayukta Act in letter and spirit.
In a press release, the ACAUT recalled how Justice Uma Nath Singh was sworn in as the first Lokayukta of Nagaland in 2019 after it, along with other CSOs, organised agitations for appointment of Lokayukta, before the Supreme Court asked him to step down prematurely in 2020.
It said the UDA Government then appointed the Upa-Lokayukta to take charge of the Lokayukta which expired on August 5 2021 as per the “rules”, following which the Lokayukta (Amendment No.2) Bill, 2021 was passed, “making it official to keep the head of the anti-corruption Ombudsman vacant for a year”.
“Since February 5, 2022 a year has lapsed and 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,” read the press release, adding that manning of “the most powerful legal institution against corruption” by a political appointee as Upa Lokayukta is condemnable.
While claiming that the NDPP has proved its motto "facta non verba" wrong, it said an unchecked opposition-less government would be mired with scams and financial mismanagement, which could catch the attention of the central investigating agencies.
Citing inaction on CAG reports over the years, it alleged the state government wants to “keep the Lokayukta as a decorative piece without any power and functions”.
Besides appointment of Lokayukta, the ACAUT also demanded the restoration of the State Vigilance Commission at the earliest.