SHILLONG, April 18 � The Meghalaya Assembly today passed the Meghalaya Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2013 after incorporating the recommendations of the Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary. The Governor had earlier withheld his assent to the Bill and instead recommended some amendments to it. These recommendations of the Governor were incorporated and the Bill was passed. The Bill was tabled by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. However, it was opposed by members from the opposition. They said that their recommendations to the Bill were not taken into consideration.
James Sangma from the Opposition National People�s Party said that the Government was trying to bulldoze its way by passing a �shoddy� Lokayukta Bill without considering the views of the members of the House. Paul Lyngdoh of United Democratic Party, said that he too had suggested amendments to the Bill which were not reflected in the present Bill.
The Chief Minister argued that under Rules the recommendations of the Governor must first be incorporated and the Bill passed. He said, after the Bill is passed the �Government has the intention to further amend the Bill� and the amendments suggested by the members of the Opposition would also be considered to make the Bill strong and effective.
Sangma said that members of the civil society and NGOs have also suggested many points which would all be looked into during the next session of the Assembly.