The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has questioned the logic behind the state government’s withdrawal of general consent from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya is one of nine states to have withdrawn general consent.
This means that the CBI cannot launch an investigation in the state without the government’s permission. Such permission can often take weeks if not months to receive, thereby possibly hamstringing justice. The Chief Minister had earlier played down the matter, saying that the general consent had been withdrawn some time ago and was not unusual. The matter was raised in the Assembly yesterday by the opposition Trinamool Congress.
The VPP, which does not have any representation in the Assembly, said today that no clear reasons were given for the government’s move and that what is even more puzzling is that the Meghalaya government is on friendly terms and is comprised of parties that are in alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, so its fear of the CBI makes little sense.
Of the nine states, seven are ruled by the opposition and their rationale for withdrawing general consent is that the CBI is being used by the Centre to target non-BJP allies.
“The decision (for Meghalaya to withdraw consent) is sending a message to the people of the state that there is something hidden and that the government does not want to bring to light all the wrongs while working on an alibi…” the VPP said, adding that the government is dragged into accusations of illegal coal mining and the like.
The VPP “is of the view that this decision of the government to prevent the CBI from conducting investigations in the state is either to shield some of its members at the helm of affairs or due to some other reasons understood only by those who are playing dirty games at the cost of others.”
The party also opposed the use of outside consultants by the government when the government has qualified civil servants on hand. The money that goes on these consultants could instead be used to pay teachers and ASHA workers who have gone without pay for months, it added.
The VPP also wondered how the government is able to source funding to pay these consultants when it constantly whines about experiencing a financial crunch.
