Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Nagaland Assembly passes Lokayukta Bill

By Correspondent

DIMAPUR, Dec 15 - Nagaland Assembly passed the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2015 with Amendments on the last day of the two-day winter session on Friday. The Bill was moved by Chief Minister TR Zeliang, which was unanimously supported by the members.

Nagaland Health Rule (Amendment), 2017 Bill which was laid by Minister for Health & Family Welfare Imkong L Imchen and Nagaland Essential Services (maintenance) Act, 1978 (first amendment) Bill, 2017 moved by Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Civil Aviation P Paiwang Konyak were also passed by the Assembly today.

Speaking in the debate on Lokayukta Bill, Chief Minister Zeliang while citing the example of Liquor Prohibition Act, 1989, said if people are not serious there cannot be effective checking of corruption through the Lokayukta Act. �Every citizen must be committed. Together only we can check corruption,� he stated.

Zeliang also said the Vigilance Commission will have a lot of powers to check corruption.

Taking part in the debate, MLA Yitachu was optimistic that a lot of transformation will take place with the passage of the bill. MLA Thomas Ngullie stressed on the importance of Lokayukta in checking corruption in the context of Nagaland. He blamed the bureaucrats and technocrats apart from the politicians for corruption.

�Lots of commercial buildings in Dimapur and Kohima belong to some AHoDs and HoDs. The bill is meant to check everyone from corruption and not only the politicians,� he said while advocating a sound budget for Lokayukta for effective implementation of the Act.

On the resolution for revocation of the Assembly Resolution on Municipal Act, 2001, Minister for Health & Family Welfare Imkong L Imchen said Article 243T and Article 371A are contradictory since women reservation in Article 243T infringes Article 371A. He said he was not against the revocation of the Resolution, but cautioned the House saying �posterity may blame us one day.�

MLA Neiba Kronu while participating in the debate said the revocation of the Resolution doesn�t mean women�s are denied their rights since there can be special laws for women in the future.

Participating in the debate on Naga political issue, MLA Yitachu said each and very Naga has a strong desire that the issue be settled at the earliest.

Minister for Health & Family Welfare Imkong L Imchen stated it is loud and clear that the Naga people desire for early solution and added that passing of such resolutions at this juncture in the Assembly was paramount.

Later, Speaker Dr Imtiwapang Aier declared the Assembly adjourned sine die.

Next Story