Dimapur, June 3 (MExN): Now, the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has objected to the appointment of defeated NDPP candidate, Mayang Lima, as the Vigilance Commissioner of Nagaland, asking the government to “reconsider its decision.”
“The appointment of defeated Ex NDPP candidate from 22 Arkakong A/C in the recently concluded general election to the post of Vigilance Commissioner is nothing but a mockery to justice system in the state,” stated the Information and Publicity cell of the NPRAAF in a press release today.
Vigilance Commissioner is the “top anti-corruption office in the state and is apolitical by nature and any person appointed to the sensitive position should have no affinity towards any political party so that in the course of investigating cases neutrality could be maintained by the office,” the NPRAAF reminded the government.
It maintained that the PDA government is “doing disservice to the state by filling the post by its man by way of compensating loss in election, which reflects the government’s disinterest and insensitivity in fighting against corruption.” It requested the government to “reconsider its decision as it will set a wrong precedence and people will lose faith in the anti-corruption office.”
Backdoor appointments
The NPRAAF filed an RTI on May 7 this year. It asked the Nagaland State Government to furnish detailed information of facilities provided to newly appointed non-legislators as Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State as well as the Advisors. If the appointments invite Section 21 of the IPC, stated the NPRAAF, then legal action will be invited accordingly.
The anti corruption body appealed to the PDA government to “do away with illegal backdoor appointments of party workers as Cabinet Ministers & Ministers of state at the cost of the state exchequer so that the matter may be put to rest once and for all.”
The NPRAAF remained “disappointed” that the government allegedly continues to “misuse its powers by appeasing its party members with high office without feeling of guilt or regret instead of working for the welfare of the people. If the PDA Govt continues with the trend, there is little or no hope for change as it has promised during election.”
