ITANAGAR, Aug 27 - Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet that met recently with Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the chair made several �landmark� decisions, some of which were pending since years. The most notable among them were � immediate setting up of Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC).
The Cabinet also set the ball rolling for establishment of State Lokayukta, which, it�s hoped, would usher in a fresh chapter of transparency, accountability of the Govt and its agencies, besides checking corruption.
The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act 2006 provides for creation of a State Human Rights Commission. The Commission will be mandated to enquire into any human rights violation related to subjects covered under State list and Concurrent list in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The establishment of the Commission would come as a huge relief to the citizens in safeguarding them from violation of their human rights.
The Cabinet further approved creation of 30 posts to run the Commission.
In the other landmark decision, the Cabinet fixed a concrete timeline for getting the State Lokayukta functional by constituting three committees, viz., Drafting Committee, Search Committee and a Selection Committee.
It is worth mentioning here that the State Assembly had on March 5, 2014 passed the Lokayukta Bill, paving the way for constitution of the Lokayukta.
The Drafting Committee will have to submit comprehensive Draft Rules required for carrying out the provisions of the Act to the Government within 60 days. While the Rules being framed by the Drafting Committee are finalised, a Search Committee � members of which will not be State Government employees � will search, finalise and submit a panel of names to be appointed in the Lokayukta, to the Government within 12 weeks.
Finally, the Selection Committee, which would be headed by the Chief Minister, and with Leader of the Opposition, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court or a Judge nominated by the Chief Justice and Chief Secretary as members will recommend the names to the Governor for appointment as the Lokayukta Chairperson and Members within 30 days from the date the Search Committee submits the panel of names.
In an equally important decision that would be a major blow to corrupt practices in recruitment, the Cabinet unanimously scrapped the practice of taking interview in recruitment for lower level posts in all Government departments. The objective of discontinuation of interview in selection process at lower level posts is to curb corruption, more objective selection in transparent manner and substantially easing the problems of poor aspirants.
The Cabinet also approved the MoU of Regional Connectivity Scheme to be signed with Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of India to operationalise air services for civilian purposes at Ziro, Pasighat, Aalo, Tuting, Mechuka, Walong and Tezu besides some other helipads when helicopter service under RCS is implemented.
