Front Page   

Communal Violence Bill will not disturb federal structure: Patil

Special Correspondent

Says the proposed law provides for adequate compensation to victims

BANGALORE: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday said the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control, and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill 2005 will not disturb the federal structure and it provides for adequate compensation to the victims.

Mr. Patil said: "The Bill will strike a balance between the powers of the State and Union governments. Let us not disturb the federal structure."

The Union Minister was addressing a "Southern Region Conference on Communal Violence" to discuss the pros and cons of the Bill and elicit public opinion. The seminar is the second in the series of six such events to be held in the country.

Mr. Patil said there was no law that defined the rights of survivors of communal violence for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. The Bill has made a provision for setting up Communal Disturbance Relief and Rehabilitation Councils at the national, State and district levels for planning relief and rehabilitation measures and their coordination, monitoring and implementation. It has powers to facilitate speedy prosecution of cases relating to communal violence.

The Centre and the States will draw up guidelines for the assessment of compensation for losses suffered during communal violence and contribute the amount, he said.

The Bill envisages immediate distribution of at least 30 per cent of the compensation. "Funding is not going to be a problem and adequate compensation will be given."

The Supreme Court has stated that Rs. 7 lakhs will be the benchmark for compensation.

The most important suggestion to emerge at the seminar was the right of the victim to participate in the case.

There is a provision to allow the victim to participate in the prosecution.

Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said it is the duty of society to counter divisive forces.

The Bill has taken into account failures and inadequacies in dealing with communal situation in various parts of the country.

He said it is unfortunate that religion is being used by fanatics to divide the nation and communities.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sharad Pawar puts on hold food subsidy cut
Newspapers must find a new economic model: Alan Rusbridger
The Hindu will appoint Readers' Editor: N. Ram
Only Test highlights on Doordarshan
EPF interest rate to be 8.5 per cent
Chief Election Commissioner issues fiat on transfer of State officials
Grenades seized
Lone to meet Manmohan
Dravid stresses on team spirit
Slight progress in Sharon's brain function
School department wings to be revamped
Don't spare high and mighty, rules High Court
Increase in RTC bus fares proposed by Government
Communal Violence Bill will not disturb federal structure: Patil
LDF will decide on DIC(K) entry into Front: Pinarayi
Helmet compulsory for registration of two-wheelers
No Telangana till UPA is in power?
KSRTC unions to go on indefinite strike
"Eliminate bonded labour system"
Vajpayee, Advani betrayed the nation: Uma Bharti

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu