DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 25 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) today expressed concern that the Lokayakta post in Nagaland has been laying vacant beyond the time-frame of six months as per the Nagaland Lokayukta Act 2017.
“The time frame expired on August 5, 2021 but till date the two member search committee consisting of the Chief Secretary and Advocate General is unable to submit their report. Instead the Lokayukta (Amendment no 2) Bill was tabled in the Moonson Session of the State Assembly 2021 to change the time period for appointment of Lokayukta from six months to one year,” a press release from the ACAUT media cell stated.
It said that the former Governor rightly returned the Bill to the Legislative Assembly Speaker for reconsideration stating that it was antithesis for transparent governance. The ACAUT asserted that there should be no attempt whatsoever to re-introduce the said Bill again in the ongoing assembly session, as that will defeat the very essence of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act.
It meanwhile pointed out that as per the provision of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act, Lokayukta in the state comprises of a Chairman/Lokayukta and 4 other members designated as Upa Lokayukta under which this legal institution is to be manned.
“However without assigning any reason the Government of Nagaland appointed only 2 persons out of which the Lokayuta resigned under compelling situation and the sole member is holding the institution all alone. Now the question arises as to whether a single person has the legality and propriety to hold a public legal institution which has the legal requisite to be manned by five qualified persons,” the ACAUT said.
It observed that at least the minimum requisite quorum of three persons should be followed to avoid being hit by Coram Non Judice. In the matter of the appointment to the tenure post of Upa Lokayuta, the ACAUT advised that it should be drawn from the general age group and should be person of “impeccable integrity, valid qualification and without any party affiliation.”
