Anti-faith bill: JRC tenure extended till December 2007

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Considering severe opposition to Maharashtra Eradication of Black Magic and Evil and Aghouri Practices Bill, 2005 from all quarters, a joint review committee (JRC) has been formed by the State Government to examine the draft of controversial Bill. Tenure of this committee has since been extended till December 2007. The Bill therefore, may not be passed even in the next winter session of the Legislative Assembly and could be presented in March 2008, the summer session of the Assembly.

A report prepared by the committee was to be submitted by the end of the ongoing session but that has not been done and Shri. Chandrakant Handore, Minister for Social Justice put up a proposal to extend the tenure of JRC which was unanimously approved.

S/Shri. Madhukar Sarpotdar, Diwakar Raote, Madhu Chavan, Shiv Sena MLAs, Shri. Ulhas Pawar, a Congress MLA and Adv. Gurunath Kulkarni, MLA of NCP complained that they were not called for JRC meetings although they are its members or the meetings of JRC are held at inconvenient time and they are unable to attend. All these members took Shri. Handore to task when he assured that henceforth, the meetings of JRC would be conducted at mutually suitable time. Shri. Ulhas Pawar said that the copies of the Act are not available to people and the Govt. is calling for public opinion. He said that he had received complaints from Warakaris that they could not get copies of the Act. Shri. Handore also agreed to make copies of the Act available to everyone.

Source: ‘ Daily Sanatan Prabhat ‘

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>Anti Faith Bill