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Return Gujarat’s anti-terror Bill, says Cabinet

Vinay Kumar

Recommendation to President

P. Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Friday recommended to President Pratibha Patil that the controversial anti-terror Bill passed by the Gujarat Assembly be returned to the State, citing the need to carry out three crucial amendments.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram told journalists after a Cabinet meeting that the decision to return the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Bill was taken to bring it in conformity with the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which was amended by Parliament last year.

Three objectionable provisions

“There are three provisions of the Bill which have not been in accordance with the UAPA as amended by Parliament,” he said. The Centre proposed deletion of a provision relating to confessions to a police officer, which are admissible; allowing the court discretionary power to give bail after hearing the public prosecutor; and the third relates to powers of a special court to extend the period of detention from 90 to 180 days. It should be amended in such a way as not to vest discretion entirely with the special court.

“The principles are that we will be able to recommend for the assent of the President of this only after the three provisions are amended to bring in conformity with what Parliament has passed recently, mainly UAPA, that is as far as Cabinet is concerned,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

The Bill, passed in 2004, has been pending with the Centre since four years. During this period, the Home and Law Ministries examined it but the UAPA amendments, relating to the anti-terror provisions, were approved by Parliament recently.

Special aircraft

Mr. Chidambaram said the Cabinet approved the procurement of a special aircraft for Disaster Management Support (DMS).

The aircraft, specially designed by the National Remote Sensing Agency of the Department of Space, is being procured from the Brazilian firm, Embraer, at an estimated cost of Rs. 179.86 crore.

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