Shillong: A large number of Meghalaya NGOs on Wednesday decided to resort to stern agitations to pressurise the government to formulate a strong 'Lokayukta Act'.
The decision was taken at a public meeting held at Motphran in the city in Shillong on Wednesday following the passing of a new Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2012, which according to NGOs is "just a repealing of the same act passed 10 years back, aimed at protecting the government machineries."
Organised by 19 NGOs, the meeting was held to garner public support in fighting for a strong Act.
"If government is adamant to bring in a proper Lokayukta Act in place, we will hold series of agitational programmes till our demand is achieved," Meghalaya Right to Information Movement (MRTIM) leader Michael Syiem said while speaking at the meeting.
Lambasting the state government, he said, "Despite the CM and others assurances to bring a strong Act but when they do it s only a weak Act full of flaws which only encourages corruption."
"We demand for a strong and effective Lokayukta and not just a repealing of the old Act which is toothless and encouraged corruption," Khasi Students'Union (KSU) president Daniel Khyriem asserted adding we want Meghalaya to see the change.
"They (legislators) are 'scared-stiff' that is why they passed such an important bill in a hurried way without deliberating on it," Khyriem stated.
"People should not accept corruption anymore enough is enough," RTI activist Angela Rngad said. CSWO leader, Anges Kharshiing said, "The fight is not for the benefit of single person but for the people of the state."
FKJGP president, Joe Marwein said, a corrupt person is no difference with a terrorist adding "Corruption is slow a killer." Echoing similar views, HNYF president GH Kharshanlor compared corruption with 'cancer-diseases' and said, "This is a slow invasion of a killer against the people and the state."
He informed, "We have urged the Governor to withhold his assent on the Lokayukta bill passed recently."
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