Meghalaya Cabinet clears amendment to Meghalaya Lokayukta Act

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SHILLONG:

The Meghalaya Cabinet, on Friday, approved the proposed amendment to the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014 to confer a discretion on the government to constitute either a single member or a multi-member Lokayukta.

This was taken up keeping in mind the number of cases, and the financial implications in maintaining a multi-member Lokayukta, Law Minister James Sangma told reporters here.

The State Cabinet also approved the proposal to amend the Meghalaya Sale of Petroleum and Petroleum Products, including the Motor Spirit Taxation Act.

“It was decided to levy an additional cess of 10 paise per litre of petrol and diesel sold within the state,” Sangma said.

Presently, the sale surcharge of 2 per cent is levied on the tax payable on the sale of petrol and diesel under the provision of section 3 A of the Meghalaya Sales of Petroleum and Petroleum Products, including the Motor Spirit Taxation Act.

The Law Minister informed that the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy, which was notified on February 5, 2021, will come into effect from April 1, 2021.

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The Cabinet also approved the amendment to the Meghalaya Building Bye-Laws that requires the building owners to submit an affidavit to the effect that he/she will not change or convert the use of parking spaces into the building or plot.

The State Cabinet also cleared the Meghalaya State Health Policy, wherein the formulation of policy is ongoing.

“A lot of consultations, discussions, suggestions, and views of the stakeholders have taken place and, finally, the Health department has been able to come up with the State health policy,” Sangma informed.

The policy will set a broad framework for providing essential public health services and functions, including powers to respond to public health emergencies, principally through the State and local public health agencies at the village, block and district levels.

This would be done in collaboration with other public and private health care providers, including through the cooperation and formal partnership between the Centre and the State.

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)