Meghalaya to have strong and effective Lokayukta Bill: Sangma

SHILLONG, March 21 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today assured that a strong and effective Lokayukta Bill would be passed soon to tackle corruption in the state.

" The Government will do all that is necessary to deal with issues of corruption and our endeavour is also to have other mechanisms which can supplement the Bill to address the practice of corruption, " Dr Sangma informed the Assembly.

The Meghalaya government had been under tremendous pressure to pass a strong Lokayukta Bill from the civil society. This demand had found support with some Legislators who had openly rejected the earlier Bill passed last year as "weak and ineffective" to fight corruption.

Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary withheld his assent to the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill with certain observations regarding the terms and conditions of the office of Lokayukta and its members, besides other provisions.

The Chief Minister said the recommendations made by the Governor would be examined. " I will seek the mandate of the Cabinet to further examine and dwell on this and ensure that the aspiration of the people to fight corruption is fulfilled, " he asserted.

Earlier, moving the resolution on amending the Bill, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh asked the government to "redraft" the Bill, and also take the members of the Opposition into consideration so as to discourage corruption in public life. Supporting the resolution, opposition National People's Party (NPP) Legislator James K Sangma said the returning of the Bill by the Governor vindicated the stand of the Opposition.

" We had then walked out against the weak and ineffective Government, " Mr Sangma said.

Opposition Hill State People's Democratic Party Legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, who also demanded for redrafting of the Lokayukta Bill, said, " Corruption is the most hated term and even Meghalaya is not free from this bondage. "