By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government will amend the Lokayukta Bill, which was passed last December amid protests from the Opposition members and NGOs, to make it a more effective tool for combating corruption in the government.
“The Government will table amendments, as required, to make the Act strong and effective tool for tackling corruption at all levels,” Governor RS Mooshahary said in his address to the State Assembly on Thursday.
After the Lokayukta Bill was passed in the Assembly in December last, protests from several quarters had prompted the Governor to return the Bill while asking the Government to make certain changes.
“It is the resolve of the Government to tackle corruption at all levels. It has accordingly presented the Lokayukta Bill,” Mooshahary said.
He, however, said that there had been some misgivings about some of the provisions, “but a closer reading of the Bill would allay some of the apprehensions”.
The critics had pointed out that the Bill should be simplified as in its present form a complaint should be accompanied by an affidavit verified by a First Class Judicial Magistrate.
Moreover, there will not be any investigation on corruption cases which took place 10 years ago.
The press is also barred from availing proceedings of investigation of such cases.
Another glaring flaw is that the Government in consultation with the Lokayukta can notify exclusion of public servants from the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta.
Moreover, the policy formulation of the Government is also exempted from the purview of the Lokayukta.
According to Mooshahary, it is also the intention of the Government “to link Lokayukta with the proposed initiative of social audit on concurrent basis”.