Meghalaya assembly denies private bill aimed at bolstering Lokayukta

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposed by Adelbert Nongrum, a legislator from the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) representing North Shillong, faced rejection through a voice vote in the assembly session held on Tuesday (February 20).

Meghalaya assembly speaker Thomas A Sangma declared the rejection of the bill after it was subjected to voting, stating, “The No's have it, the motion is not carried, and leave to introduce the Bill is not granted. The Bill is therefore rejected by the House.”

Nongrum, while presenting the Bill, expressed concerns that the amendments to the Lokayukta Act, 2021, have compromised the effective functioning of the Lokayukta in Meghalaya.

He argued that the changes to the composition of Lokayukta members and judicial benches have significantly altered its original essence.

According to Nongrum, the provision allowing for a single-member body, comprising only the chairperson without mandatory judicial member(s), weakens the Lokayukta's role.

He criticized the Amendment Act of 2021 for diluting the Lokayukta's authority, deviating from the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of Parliament.

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Nongrum emphasized the necessity of safeguarding and reinforcing the institution of Lokayukta to address the escalating cases of corruption among public officials.

His Private Members’ Bill aimed to restore the essential provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, which were removed and replaced by the Amendment Act of 2021.

It sought to amend the existing Meghalaya Lokayukta Act to empower it further and enhance its effectiveness in combating corruption.

In conclusion, Nongrum urged the Assembly to support his Private Members’ Bill, stressing the importance of upholding the Lokayukta and combating the scourge of corruption in the state.