Shillong, Oct 29: The Garo Hills Youth Solidarity (GHYS) has sought establishment of a Meghalaya Lokayukta Bench in Garo Hills, preferably at Williamnagar, to ensure access to justice in corruption cases.
In its memorandum to the Chief Minister during his visit today, the youth body said at present complainants from Garo Hills have to travel to Shillong for every hearing, incurring heavy expenditure on transport, accommodation, food and loss of wages.
This hardship discourages ordinary citizens, particularly villagers and economically weaker sections, from pursuing genuine complaints, the GHYS said.
It said four matters of the organisation are presently pending before the Meghalaya Lokayukta — three concerning alleged irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission implementation and one concerning the BADO scheme hanging bridge near Rongara Bazar — and complainants have to repeatedly travel to Shillong.
The body further pointed out that the Lokayukta in Shillong does not have adequate video-conferencing facility to conduct hearings online, leaving Garo Hills complainants with no alternative but to travel.
“Justice should be accessible to the people, rather than requiring the people to overcome unreasonable geographical and financial barriers merely to seek justice,” the memorandum stated.
GHYS said there are numerous allegations of irregularities in implementation of government schemes in South Garo Hills and other parts of Garo Hills, and many cases may remain unreported because people cannot afford to travel to Shillong.
Setting up a bench in Garo Hills would reduce hardship, build confidence among complainants and strengthen accountability in implementation of public projects, it said.
The youth body requested the Chief Minister to establish a permanent bench at Williamnagar, Baghmara or any suitable headquarters in Garo Hills, or alternatively hold regular circuit sittings and make administrative arrangements for Lokayukta proceedings in the region until a permanent bench is set up.
