Shillong, Jan 19: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Friday said it seems that the terminated officials of the anti-graft body, 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.”

To a question, the deputy CM while slamming the VPP for trying to link the government’s decision with a corruption case involving a sitting MLA, who has been charge-sheeted by the Lokayukta, said, “It seems those terminated officials they are related maybe to those people (from VPP). That’s it.”

Also maintaining that there is no reason for the government to invite the VPP for talks, Tynsong said, “We will not call them for talks. If they want to talk we are ready but why should we call when we have already clarified everything.”

Further, 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.

Also Read : Meghalaya awarded for innovation in health sector, NITI Ayog member appreciates state’s innovations

Also Watch