SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Lokayukta Rules, 2019 was passed by the Cabinet in a meeting held on Monday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Home Minister James Sangma said the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act was passed in 2014 which received the assent of the Governor in the same year.
“It is mandated that we have to make rules as per Section 58 of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014 to carry out provisions of the Act,” he said.
When asked whether the Meghalaya Lokayukta was functioning without rules for the last five years, he said, “Well, it would appear so, yes. However better late than never. Now that the rules are there, things will be streamlined in a better manner”.
Meghalaya Houses seat rent increased
The seat rent for occupation of the Meghalaya House in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Vellore and Guwahati was revised.
“The cost of maintenance of the Meghalaya Houses has increased. Electricity bills, telephone bills have gone up. Therefore with the cost of the services going up, it was felt necessary to enhance the seat rent of Meghalaya Houses in these places particularly for non-officials overstaying,” the home minister said.
A proposal to amend the revised rules for occupancy in Meghalaya Houses was approved.
“This was done with the intention of ensuring better management of the Meghalaya Houses and optimising the resources. It was felt that we needed to amend the Rules for occupation of the Meghalaya Houses”, he said.
These amended rules have been passed by the Cabinet.
Asked, Sangma informed that for senior government officials on duty for normal rooms, the seat rent will be charged per head per day per seat which stands at Rs 200, including other charges as applicable. For government officials not on duty, it will be Rs 300 per head. For non-official visitors for medical treatment, they have to pay Rs 300 per day. For non-officials, if they use the double bedded room, the charge is Rs 1550 per person.
