‘Bring changes in Mizoram Lokayukta Bill’

Newmai News Network AIZAWL, March 3 The Mizoram corruption watchdog Peoples’ Right to Information and Development Implementing Society of Mizoram (PRISM) has expressed its wish to bring changes in the content of ‘Mizoram Lokayukta Bill, 2014’, saying it is necessary that some deletions should be done as well as some additions in the Bill. Accoording to the drafted Lokayukta Bill, 2014, the ruling party will have a privilege of choice for chairman and member for Lokayukta. “Therefore, Lokayukta will not be able to investigate independently and it is even possible that people may not wish to lodge complaints at all,” PRISM pointed out. PRISM said it does not like the provision which states that corruption cases and other cases which date back to 5 years cannot be investigated.“We want functioning of Anti-Corruption Bureau under Lokayukta; empowering Lokayukta to use CBI, to look into under-consideration corruption cases and FIRs, to impose penalty upon corrupt officials, and to maintain transparency,” it said. “We also want giving of general consent to CBI along with the passing of Lokayukta Bill”, PRISM said.