Shillong: The Meghalaya government Thursday assured of further amending the weak Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill 2012 for ensuring a strong and effective counter mechanism against corruption in the state.
The Bill which was denied assent by the Governor R S Mooshahary was opposed by Opposition legislators and anti-graft activists in the state terming it weak and toothless.
“The government will examine and the bill will further be amended for the state to have a strong and effective Lokayukta in place,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured the House while replying to the resolution moved by UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh during the House session today.
Stating that the recommendations made by the Governor would be examined, he said, “I will seek the mandate of the cabinet to further examine and dwell on this and ensure that aspirations of the people in fighting against corruption is fulfilled.”
The MUA-I Congress-led government had passed the new Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill ? 2012 in the last Assembly session amidst vehement opposition from legislators and NGOs citing several inadequacy, deformities and loopholes in it.
Affirming that the government will stand to its commitment to deal with Corruption and will not shy away in bringing an effective Act, the chief minister said, “We will also further have legislation for effective delivery mechanisms which will be a comprehensive approach to effectively deal with the issues relating to Corruption.”
According to the Chief Minister, it is not important to only have a law to deal with corruption after it is committed but there is a need to have other mechanisms to supplement the Act in combating corruption at different levels.
PTI
