Imphal, July 26 2010: The Ruling and the Opposition bench had a heated debate in the Assembly today over the general public interest motion raised by Opposition MLA O Joy, who contended that the recommendations of the State Vigilance Commission are there only to be neglected by the Government.

Raising the motion, O Joy pointed out that the State Vigilance Commission has been set up by a resolution of the Government on May 24, 1981 to bring about annual reports on its investigation in various cases like corruption, lack of integrity, misconduct, malpractices, etc.

The report of the Commission for the year 2009 had been tabled in the House.

The report had made various recommendations including termination of 28 LDC appointed fraudulently in the Revenue Department, recovery of Rs 19.54 crores from the Engineers in connection with awarding 453 work orders of Khuga Dam on the sly as well as recovery of another Rs 17.2 crores from the officers concerned of Power Department that had been misused and initiating appropriate action against 17 Home Guard Commanders.

The report had also identified 11 departments including DRDA, Education (S), Power and PWD as sensitive.

Unfortunately, none of these recommendations have been implemented by the Government, O Joy charged.

He went on to point out that in 1999, the Commission had recommended 55 cases, 3 cases in 2001 and 16 cases in 2001.But no action have been in this regard as well.

Describing the annual report of the Commission as its achievements, O Joy said it is funny that the Government has instituted the Commission for making reports on taking up necessary action while the same reports are being neglected.

What is the point of instituting Vigilance Commission if the Govt is not going to act on its recommendations ?, he questioned.

On account of the failure of the Government to take action, an employee who joined the service as cashier in 1997 has been appointed to the post of Deputy Secretary or Under Secretary and the Departments are filled with inefficient officers today, O Joy asserted.

In his response to the outburst of the Opposition member, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh maintained that Government has been studying the reports of the Commission and acting on its reasonable recommendations accordingly.

The report of the Commission for the year 2009 and its recommendations have also been examined and the Ministers concerned of the sensitive departments would be instructed for taking up necessary action, the Chief Minister assured.

With regard to the recommendation over issuing 453 unauthorised work orders of Khuga Project amounting to Rs 19.54 crores, the Chief Minister clarified that though the works were not approved at that time, now they have been given approval by the Government of India.

In connection with the case over Home Guard commanders, the CO concerned had already been placed under suspension, the Chief Minister said.

Payment of salary to the 28 LDCs fraudulently appointed in Revenue Department has also been stalled for the last 2/3 years, he added.

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