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| Police Bill 'shelved' for current session | | On back foot, govt not willing to 'rush through' in draft changes | | et plus report
Jammu, Mar 17: Much publicized Police bill that drew strong criticism from all quarters including the civil society will not be introduced in the current budget session even as the government had completed initial exercise of preparing draft with the intension of bringing it in the Legislative session for further discussion and debate in the House. On back foot on account of severe criticism for provisions envisaged to empower the police and for some other loopholes , the government has decided to shelve it for the time being.
Sources said that though NC led coalition government had made up its mind to bring the Bill during the budget session but now that is unlikely to happen as the present form of draft invited sharp reaction from all sections particularly in Kashmir Valley who are viewing certain provisions as giving extra ordinary powers to Police . However, it is only wide spread criticism that prevailed for over three weeks and not many concrete suggestions have forth so far, sources said adding that the Home department started the exercise of incorporating certain changes after gauging the public and political response to the draft of the Bill. But that exercise is not yet complete , sources said.
The government knew it well that the bill would invite criticism which is why it was put on website well ahead of the Budget session. It apparently wanted to know the public mood and response and in a tactical way it sought suggestions , opinions so that it could incorporate few changes that would suit its interests as well, sources further said. Even that exercise has been initiated but the government is now not in a mood to rush through steps over this crucial and highly sensitive matter as it knows the main opposition PDP would not let the Bill have a smooth sail in the House in present situation which has turned unpleasant for the government on a host of accounts, sources added.
Though the government has made up its mind firmly that the Bill would light of the day at any cost before its tenure completes next year, it is for the time being not willing in hurrying over the steps which have become mandatory in the backdrop of the sharp criticism, sources in the government said while confirming it has been dropped from the government business , at least for current session of legislature. The decision not to bring it the Bill in current session has also been reinforced by the fact that PDP is not in a mood even to discuss or debate, leave alone allowing its passage in the House , anything that would empower Police Force while dealing with law and order problem in the state.
Pertinently, NC which is the only party in ruling class instrumental and more than interested for passage of Police Bill , has also found itself on the backfoot after it found comments and assessment by a cross section and quarters that matter which have been questioning the need and rationale behind giving more powers to Police in a state where such provisions with other agencies are already under debate . As the Bill is being seen as NC trying to make a move with self aggrandizement agenda , the timing of the Bill, which among others has been the master mind of ex DGP , is also being questioned , in context of elections next year.
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