Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sikkim MPs support Parliamentary resolutions for Anna, convey State’s willingness to make Lokayukta stronger

GANGTOK, 28 Aug: Sikkim’s representatives in the Parliament, PD Rai [Lok Sabha] and OT Lepcha [Rajya Sabha], participated in the debate on Lokpal held in the two houses yesterday. In their respective addresses, both MPs conveyed the SDF’s “strong support” for the “initiatives of the Government as well as the Civil Society against the cancer of corruption which is so rampant in our country”.
Updating the respective houses that Sikkim already has a Lokayukta, they supported the three resolutions moved in Parliament yesterday and, while suggesting that the federal structure of the country not be tampered with, expressed solidarity with moves to strengthen the Lokayukta’s at the State level and make them more effective.
Mr. Lepcha, in his address said, “I wish to place on record that if there are provisions for a stronger and effective Lokayukta prescribed by the Central Government in any mdel legislation, we have no hesitation in implementing those regulations for Lokayukta in our State.”
Similarly, Mr. Rai said in the Lok Sabha: “The State of Sikkim already has enacted a Lok Ayukta. We have no issue to strengthen the same when the Lok Pal is enacted and indeed directions will be received from the Centre. However, the federal structure cannot be allowed to be tampered with. A model Act can also be adopted.”
Mr. Lepcha  added that the efforts to eradicate corruption will require more initiatives.  “I am of the view that in order to eradicate the menace of corruption, besides Lokpal we have to make a lot of effort for ensuring the accountability of judiciary and electoral reforms only then we will be able to make some impact.”
The MPs, while reiterating the SDF’s support for a “strong and robust” Lokpal Bill, added that in so far as the three points [resolutions], “the bridge that is to be crossed, are concerned, we have no objection”.
“However, the greater wisdom of more consultation with wider sections of our nation will make these more practical,” Mr. Rai stressed, while also conveying the appeal of the SDF president, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to Anna Hazare to break his fast “so that he may continue to serve the people of India for many more years.”

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