NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the introduction of a Bill in Parliament for prevention and control of communal violence. The legislation would also provide for the rehabilitation of the victims of such violence.

Announcing this, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the Bill would be introduced in the current session of Parliament and later referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee relating to the Ministry of Home Affairs for its opinion.

People's views to be sought

Simultaneously, the draft Bill would be published in the Home Ministry's website to get views from the public.

Chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet also decided to move official amendments to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, on the basis of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2003 and later referred to the Parliamentary panel. After studying it, the panel presented its report to Parliament in March this year. The Cabinet meeting accepted most of its recommendations, Mr. Mukherjee said. But he declined to give the details on the ground that Parliament was in session and it was necessary that the details were presented to Parliament first.

The Cabinet also approved the recommendations made by the Parliamentary panel for changes in regard to the Disaster Management Bill and gave its nod for introduction of a Bill during the current session for replacing the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance with an Act.

The Ordinance provided for Income Tax concessions on profits of export-oriented units in special economic zone.

Asked when the Government proposed to introduce Pension Bill, Mr. Mukherjee said discussions were continuing between Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and leaders of Left parties. After they reach a consensus, the Bill would be brought before Parliament.

On the Lok Pal Bill, he said a decision would be taken soon. The Group of Ministers, which has been formed to look into it, is scheduled to meet on November 29. A final decision is likely to be taken at the meeting.

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