NVCO calls on church to lend her voice to curb menace of unabated corruption
Kohima, February 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) today stated it is “very much upset” with Nagaland government for presenting State Budget deficit every year which has now reached Rs 2679.46crores.
While presenting the state budget 2021-22, NVCO alleged that the state government has ignored the development of economy despite of incurring loss and hardship to every individual, especially the poor section due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“Why deficit? The answer is simply ‘corruption’ ‘misappropriation’, etc and not taking any action on those malpractices,” NVCO, President, Kezhokhoto Savi stated while “appealing the churches, tribal hohos and civil societies not to remain silent on the present affairs of corruption in our state.”
He pointed out that in Nagaland, corruption starts with state general legislative assembly election or bye-election where the political parties and contesting candidates spend huge amount of money to win election and voters “voluntarily” sells their votes by accepting and demanding money.
Savi lamented on the failure of Lokayukta in Nagaland. However, it stated that the state government is solely responsible to immediately appoint Nagaland Lokayukta and dispose of the pending cases in the fairest manner so that ‘justice’ is delivered.
NVCO President also alleged that every year the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled before NLA session detects misappropriation of crore of rupees by several departments but no action is taken in the court of PAC.
NVCO stated that it firmly supports the ideology of, “corruption in public life – role of the church”. “Church as the prophetic community should lend her voice to curb the menace of unabated corruption. Church needs to raise her prophetic voice vocally and publicity against any malpractices by any individuals or groups irrespective of personalities. The church should be bold enough to raise her voice against all kinds of corruption,” Press & Media Cell, NVCO stated in a press release.
Church ought to set her eyes not solely on the church assets and infrastructure but give more importance to tend her sheep in becoming more humane. Revisit the concept of church and state separation according to the changing scenario for both are sacred and secular correspondingly. Church should raise its voice against misleading policies, structures and issues. Church ought to act as a catalytic group in the community reforms movements, it added.
NVCO therefore appealed to every individual in Nagaland to “say no to corruption in any situation”.
