SHILLONG: The State Government has decided to amend the Meghalaya Lokayukta (Amendment) Act, 2013 further to make it more effective.
The Bill has already become an Act after Government notified it in August after Governor Dr KK Paul gave his assent.
An official source on Wednesday said that Government will bring about a number of amendments so that the amended Act can be suitably used.
The amended Act will be placed in the Assembly during the upcoming session for discussion and approval.
It was on December 14, 2012 that the Government hurriedly passed the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2012 by replacing the Meghalaya Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Bill of 2000.
The stakeholders had pointed out many loopholes to the Bill of 2012 and the Opposition also wanted the Government to bring about many amendments.
With the NGOs opposing the Bill, the former Governor RS Mooshahary refused to give assent to the Bill asking the Government to incorporate certain suggestions to make it more effective.
After incorporating the views of Governor, the Assembly passed the Bill on April 18 this year, but the amended Bill was not free from defects.
The Government’s attempt to bring the Bill again to the House with amendments is aimed at further discussion before the Assembly passes it.
This was also to fulfill the assurance of the Chief Minister made during the April session that the Bill will be further discussed.
The shortcomings of the Bill include complex complaint procedure which stipulates that there will be punitive action against the complainants with fine and imprisonment if he cannot prove his charges after filing an application with the Lokayukta.
Moreover, acts committed 10 years ago will not be taken into account as per the present Bill.
The independence of Lokayukta is under scanner since its members can be removed by a simple majority of the Legislature.
Other defects are grade 4 employees will not come under the purview of the Bill and moreover, the Government servants cannot register complaints to Lokayukta.
The transparency of proposed Lokayukta was also questioned since the Press was barred from getting the proceedings of the investigation of Lokayukta.
