Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Friday said the state Government will not call the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for talks but if they want to talk, the state Government is ready.
Talking to media, Tynsong alleged that it seems that the terminated officials of the Lokayukta are related to the leaders of the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP).
Commenting on the VPP legislators’ protest demanding reinstatement of the removed officials , Tynsong said, “I saw the first demand of the VPP is to reinstate the retired officials but I would like to ask them on what basis (should the government reinstate them)…as now we already have full fledged serving officers.”
“I don’t know why they (VPP MLAs) have to go to the streets and say all these. We have seen the letter sent by them, we have studied everything and then we have already clarified also that these are the rules,” he said while adding “I don’t see anything wrong at all with the decision taken by the government to bring in serving officers to the three posts.”
Stating there is a big difference between serving and retired officials, Tynsong said, “When we appoint serving officers, we save money. Instead of giving them a salary, we give them only TA/DA sitting fees. That is why after due diligence, we appoint them.”
Asked, the deputy CM said, “It seems those terminated officials they are related maybe to those people (from VPP). That’s it.”
The deputy chief minister reiterated that the government is guided by the Act and the rules of the Lokayukta, which clearly stated that serving officers have to be appointed under the Lokayukta.
It may be mentioned that amidst the push and pull, a scuffle broke out between VPP MLA from Mawlai LAC, Brightstarwell Marbaniang and police personnels outside the DC’s office as the MLA tried to push his way towards the secretariat. There were also arguments between the legislators of VPP with the police.
Unhappy with the delay of the State government to respond to their request, the VPP leaders tried to reach to secretariat as they were stopped by the police.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) launched their sit-in protest against the failure of the MDA 2.0 Government to re-instate the sacked officials of the Lokayukta.
The protest was attended by three VPP legislators including North Shillong legislator Adelbert Nongrum, MLA from Mawlai Brightstarwell Marbaniang, and Heaving Stone Kharpran, VPP candidate from Mawryngkneng constituency, besides the party leaders and supporters were seen protesting.