House okays anti-graft Bills
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 08 2013:
After the customary deliberations, members of Manipur Legislative Assembly today adopted the Manipur Municipality Ombudsman Bill and the Manipur Rural Local Body Ombudsman Bill 2013 .
Responding to posers from the Opposition members, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh clarified that appointment of ombudsman (judge) to check corruption and mal-practices in Government Departments would not infringe upon operation or jurisdiction of central and State investigating agencies.
Pointing out that inspite of the Central Government proposing Lokpal Bill to curb corruption/malpractices the legislation is yet to get the Parliament's approval, he explained that the State's Ombudsman Bills might be irrelevant once the Lok Ayukta Bill currently awaiting presidential clearance gets the nod.
Further stating that appointment of two incumbents is not only a necessity for effectiveness of the two Ombudsman Bills but also unavoidable under the provision of the 13th Finance Commission, the CM conveyed that the incumbents would enjoy basic as well as performance grants.
seeking cooperation of the legislators in adopting the Bills, he also opined that with two ombudsmen it would be more convenient to expeditiously deal with cases of corruption/malpractices in the local bodies.
Stating that term of office of the ombudsmen would be five years, Ibobi said process is underway whether age of the incumbents could be 65 years.
Joining the debate, Trinamool MLA Dr I ibohalbi questioning purpose of appointing two ombudsmen as the State already have vigilance department and other investigating agencies also posed whether findings/reports of the latter agencies would not be taken into account in tackling corruption cases.
Ruling party duo Y Surchandra and Dr Ng Bijoy in their comments suggested that the term of office of the ombudsmen be limited to 2/3 year along with the condition of service extension.
On the other NCP MLA L Ibomcha desired more clarity on expenditure to be incurred for the ombudsmen if the 13th Finance Commission had made the appointments mandatory.
Earlier, the House also passed the Manipur Appropriation (No.1 & II ) Bills 2013 .