Fight-corruption calls mark anniversary event
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 15 2013: Need for continuous and extensive awareness campaigns against corruption have been stressed by different speakers as Macha Leima RTI Apunba Nupi Lup celebrated its fifth foundation anniversary at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound today.

The celebration was held with Retd District & Session Judge Chanambam Upendra, Macha leima president Kshetrimayum Ronibala and advocate Meihoubam Rakesh as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.

speaking at the occasion, Upendra lamented that corruption has been infesting almost every sector of governance inspite of the Government launching Right to Information (RTI) as a means to curb the social malaise of bribery.

Terming RTI as one of the most ground-breaking policies of the Government but at the same time regretting ineffectiveness of the legislation in serving its purpose, the legal figure emphasised on collective effort and sustained campaign by the common people to check graft cases in the society.

Citing frequent reports about malpractices regarding payment to workers engaged in NREGS projects to sum up that corruption has spread to every sector, he observed that wealth amassed by exploiting the working class is one of the most shameful acts.

Upendra also called upon the duped working class people to expose corrupt officials and individuals rather than settling disputes on financial irregularities through agreements based on financial compensation.

Reminding that denying wages to workers amount to depriving their basic human rights, the chief guest strongly advocated punishment of corrupt individuals to the curb the trend.

Upendra also emphasised on taking awareness campaigns against corruption to the young students and at the locality level as well as proposed to the Government to work out an effective mechanism to check corruption.

Commenting on the issue, advocate Rakesh observed that sincerity and commitment by the elected representatives is an essential element to weed out corruption from the society.

Expressing strong resentment over reports involving the people's nominees in corruption cases, he reminded Ministers, MLAs and elected members of local bodies that they are supposed to serve the people rather than misuse their respective offices/positions to gain personal wealth.

Contending that corruption is rampant in almost the entire Government departments, Rakesh Meihoubam, who is also executive director of Human Rights Law Network, stated that in case welfare programmes launched by the Government of India are implemented in a judicious manner there would be substantial improvement in the socio-economic status of people in the State.

for an effective RTI in the state there is need for sincerity by those at the helm of affairs, Rakesh said referring to officials of State Information Centre.

Earlier, delivering the key note address Macha Leima general secretary T Demona highlighted that RTI has been reduced to a toothless legislation in Manipur consequent to the State Government misinterpreting the Lok Ayukta Act.

Explaining her observation, Demona alleged that the State's version of the Act suggests punishment of corrupt officials only after consent by the Minister concerned with similar norms also mandatory in case of Ministers involved in graft cases.

While corrupt Ministers are liable to face punitive action in case the Chief Minister sanctions relevant measures, action against the CM is possible only with the consent of the State assembly, highlighted the general secretary with reference to the lengthy and infeasible legislation adopted by the Government with regard to Lok Ayukta Act.

As it is impossible for the officials to indulge in corruption without the knowledge of the Minister concerned it is wishful thinking that the Minister would process punitive action as the consequences would also cause embarrassment to the Minister(s), she construed and described the State's version of the Act as an eyewash.

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