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Are probe panels in State becoming a farce?

By SANJOY RAY

GUWAHATI, Dec 10 � Are inquiry commissions turning into a farce in Assam and public money being wasted just for the sake of the tussle between the opposition and those at the helm of affairs?

At least the ground level implementation record of the report of the inquiry commissions constituted in the last one decade answers in the affirmative.

This includes some of the recent commissions including the inquiry commission constituted with former Director General of Police DN Dutta as head to inquire into the October 30, 2008 serial blasts and the Beltola incident in 2007 (Justice Manisana Commission), the recommendations and findings of which too had eluded 100 per cent implementation in letter and spirit till date (cctvs being installed after three years)

Sources in the political department informed that as many as seventeen inquiry commissions with retired judges as heads were constituted in the last ten years and the Government had to bear a sizeable amount of money to meet the expenses of a commission.

Retired justices entrusted with the inquiry from time to time, now hint that inquiries at the cost of public money are slowly but surely turning into a political gimmick.

Sources in the political department of the State Government claim, �Secretariat administration (accounts) department maintains the record of the detailed expenses incurred during the tenure of the commission. The expenses include the day-to-day expenses of the members of the commission for at least a year or so, which very often runs into a sizeable amount.�

A retired judge of the Gauhati High Court, who did not wish to be named, told The Assam Tribune, �I wonder if any Government would entertain the report of a commission, which goes against its political agenda. Three inquiry commissions on secret illings with virtually no results are there to be seen!�

�Reports too were submitted, but to no avail. Initial report of Justice JN Saikia was rejected, while the KN Saikia Commission report too has yielded no results. I wonder if any of the seventeen commissions, including the ongoing four, is or would be an exception,� the retired Judge opined.

�As things stand today, barring some exception, none of the inquiry commissions� findings and recommendations has been fully implemented,� he asserted.

Of the 17 commissions under retired justices, four were constituted since 2010, the inquiries of which are still in progress.

These include the inquiry into the Lampi/Langpih incident in 2010, inquiry into the incident in front of the DC office, Barpeta, inquiry into the incident at Rangia and the inquiry into the incident that took place at Last Gate area of Dispur.

Retired Justice PC Phukan, who inquired into the clash between Hmar and Dimasa people in 2003, and subsequently the incident that took place at Rauta, Bhalukmari and Saatkhola of Udalguri, said: �The role of the judge ends as soon as he or she submits its report. But yes, on many occasions, the recommendations are not executed. It just depends on the will of the Government.�

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