SHILLONG:
MDA government spokesperson and cabinet minister, Paul Lyngdoh, criticised the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for attempting to politicise the Meghalaya Lokayukta issue. Lyngdoh, in a media statement on Monday, accused the VPP of unethical practices and deflecting public attention from genuine state concerns.
The VPP had suspended its agitation seeking the reinstatement of retired officials appointed by the Lokayukta, alleging that the terminations coincided with the Lokayukta investigating a corruption case involving an MLA related to the Chief Minister.
Lyngdoh clarified that the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act clearly prohibits engaging the services of retired officials, stating, “The influence of retired individuals is less compared to serving officials. We cannot deviate from the Act.” He stressed the government’s adherence to the Act, formed after nationwide protests.
Regarding discussions with the VPP, Lyngdoh mentioned that the Minister in charge of Law, Ampareen Lyngdoh, had met with VPP leaders. The Chief Minister also agreed to a meeting. Lyngdoh highlighted the upcoming budget session as an avenue for discussion but asserted that the Act’s stipulations cannot be altered.
He emphasised that the Lokayukta operates independently, not under the state government’s control, ensuring justice impartially. Lyngdoh questioned how the government’s compliance with the Act, which mandates serving officers, could be viewed as influencing the Lokayukta.
In response to transparency concerns, Lyngdoh reiterated the government’s commitment to adhere to the Act, maintaining that violating it would be blamed on the government. Despite the government’s willingness to discuss the matter openly, he criticised the opposition’s contradictory stance, urging consideration of the Act’s provisions.
“Therefore, in what way it will affect I also cannot comprehend. In fact, people who should not be appointed or are not qualified to be appointed, the Act is very clear that they should be serving officers. So if we go against the Act, the state government will be blamed for violating its own Act. At the same time you say you want transparency in governance and at the same time you want the state government to violate the Act, so how can we do these things at the same time,” he said while adding that the chief minister however had maintained that the government is open for discussion as it has got nothing to hide.