Chief Minister Pema Khandu on several occasions has declared that eradicating corruption from Arunachal is his biggest target. In various platforms Pema has been vowing to eliminate corruption from the state. However Supreme Court of India recently put cold water on his claim by seeking explanation from the Chief Secretary of Arunachal as to why state government has not so far appointed any Lokpal, Lokayukta or Uplokayukta. In August last year CM in a hugely publicized announcement declared the constitution of three separate committees to make Lokayukta functional in the state.
But since then nobody has heard anything about it. Apart from the demand made for early constitution of Lokayukta by few NGOs, everybody seems to have forgotten about it. For a state which is gripping with serious corruption issues, the early constitution of Lokayukta will definitely help state in the long run. The effective Lokayukta have delivered positive result in states like Karnataka. It is a huge asset in the fight against corruption. Even though this law was enacted in 2013 most of state are yet to implement it. Hopefully with the strict monitoring of SC the things will improve. CM Pema Khandu’s promise of corruption free Arunachal will remain elusive if he does not take decisive action to make Lokayukta functional. The state government should not wait for further SC direction in this regard.