Keen to pass SC/ST bill this session: Govt
The government wants that a proposed law to restore the original status of the law on atrocities against SC/STS people be passed in this session of Parliament, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Singh was speaking during Zero hour after Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government for not doing enough to counter the dilution of the existing law. Singh said the cabinet had already cleared the bill on Wednesday.
“The Prime Minister had said we will bring a stronger bill if necessary. We would like to get it passed in this session,” Singh said. In a ruling on March 20, the Supreme Court had introduced safeguards against arrests, which Dalit leaders and organisations – including ministers in the NDA government – said diluted the provisions of the Act to the detriment of the SC and ST victims of violence.
Kharge blamed the government for bringing ordinances on less important matters like a sports university and a homeopathic council but not on the prevention of atrocities law. “Bring the bill tomorrow, we will pass it,” he demanded.
Mr. Kharge said the SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989, was a legacy of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and was legislated in September, 1989, three months before V.P. Singh took charge as Prime Minister. At least 17 parties and many members of Parliament met President Ramnath Kovind on March 24 and requested him and the government to nullify the Supreme Court ruling. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi also wrote to the Prime Minister on this, he pointed out.