SHILLONG:
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong stated on Friday that the retrenched officials of the anti-graft body, the Lokayukta, seem to have connections with leaders of the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP).
His comments came in response to the VPP legislators’ decision to hit the streets, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the removed Lokayukta officials. The VPP-sponsored sit-in began today and will continue from Monday during office hours.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong remarked, “I saw the first demand of the VPP is to reinstate the retired officials, but I would like to ask them on what basis (should the government reinstate them)…as now we already have full-fledged serving officers.”
“I don’t know why they (VPP MLAs) have to go to the streets and say all these. We have seen the letter sent by them, we have studied everything and then we have already clarified also that these are the rules,” he added. “I don’t see anything wrong at all with the decision taken by the government to bring in serving officers to the three posts.”
Highlighting the cost-effectiveness of appointing serving officers, Tynsong emphasized, “When we appoint serving officers, we save money. Instead of giving them a salary, we give them only TA/DA sitting fees. That is why after due diligence, we appoint them.”
In response to a question, the deputy CM criticized the VPP for attempting to link the government’s decision with a corruption case involving a sitting MLA, charge-sheeted by the Lokayukta, stating, “It seems those terminated officials they are related maybe to those people (from VPP). That’s it.”
Maintaining that there is no reason for the government to invite the VPP for talks, Tynsong asserted, “We will not call them for talks. If they want to talk we are ready, but why should we call when we have already clarified everything.” Furthermore, the deputy chief minister reiterated that the government is guided by the Act and the rules of the Lokayukta, which clearly state that serving officers have to be appointed under the Lokayukta.