In first Manipur cabinet decision, govt to set up anti-corruption cell

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla handing over the invitation letter to BJP leader Nongthombam Biren Singh to form the government of Manipur at Raj Bhavan, Imphal , Manipur on Tuesday. (PTI Photo/File)

IN ITS first cabinet meeting, the BJP-led Manipur government on Friday decided to do away with interviews in recruitment to government services to “help curb corruption” and form an anti-corruption cell in the state to allow locals to lodge complaints of corruption directly with the government. In an effort to ensure transparency and accountability, the government also launched a dedicated number — 9402150000 —to receive public grievances, or information related to incidents of corruption.

“The general public shall be encouraged to capture the video/audio of any incident of corruption in public service and send (it) through Whatsapp,” according to a media statement issued by the state government. The identity of people providing such information will be protected, it said. About the move to scrap the interview process, the government said, “The Cabinet discussed discontinuation of the stage of interview in direct recruitment for junior level posts (Grade-III & IV) in all departments under Government of Manipur in line with the policy adopted by the Central Government. It will help in curbing corruption (and lead to a) more objective selection in transparent manner…”

The anti-corruption cell will be set up at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the statement added. Fighting corruption was one of key planks on which BJP fought the state elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party president Amit Shah, among other BJP leaders had, addressing different public meetings, taken on former Congress CM Okram Ibobi Singh and accused his government of corrupt practices.

The new government’s first measure was to end the 139-day economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council in Manipur. The blockade has since been lifted. The anti-corruption measures are seen as the second big decision of the N Biren government. The Cabinet also discussed finalisation of work programme and monitoring of development activities for effective and efficient utilisation of funds in 2017-18. It decided to set up a mechanism to “enable all stakeholders and the departments accountable for proper utilization of fund’’.