Lokpal Bill CORE questions Cabinet decision
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, June 03 2011: Reacting to the decision taken by the Manipur Cabinet to opted for the Lokayukta and not the Lokpal Bill in the State, Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) expressed their resentment over the state cabinet decision.

Yesterday, the Manipur Government said it prefers Lok Ayukta to the Jan Lokpal in the State.

The State Govt in its Cabinet meeting held on Thursday after New Delhi had invited the state government to provide recommendation in the ongoing process for the drafting of the Lokpal Bill.

In the meeting the cabinet had opted to have a separate legislation of its own to deal with corruption in the state and the choice has obviously, been the Lok Ayukta, said Government spokesman N Biren.

He disclosed that the State Government's decision has been intimated to the centre.Strongly coming down on the State Cabinet decision, CORE said the the state government decision is 'disappointing".

CORE said that Lok Ayukta is a toothless and an invisible act which is already in force.

"Though the entire onus of unbridled corruption prevailing in the state of Manipur cannot be placed in the doorstep of the SPF regime (present Manipur government), it is arguably one of the most corrupt government Manipur has seen," alleged the CORE.

The statement of the organisation also said the the cabinet decision indicates that State Government hesitates to support strong anti-corruption legislation.

"It is widely held opinion of the people that the politicians and their executives have long been and are still wholesale looting the state, forfeiting the democratic and fundamental rights of its citizens," alleged the CORE statement.

"Are we to take seriously the cat's recommendations in belling it?" asks sarcastically the CORE statement.

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