Law to enhance punishment in communal violence cases:Cabinet

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) The government would seek to get the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 passed in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said today.

The Bill, which was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by Ms Sushma Swaraj by the Rajya Sabha, got a fresh approval from the Cabinet today in the light of the committee's recommendations and the Home Ministry report, Mr Dasmunsi told reporters.

The passage of the Bill would mark redemption of UPA government's major pledge in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP), he said.

The Consultative Committee had held wider discussions with lawyers, jurists and state government representatives, while Home Minister Shivraj Patil also had talks across the country on the subject.

Besides providing for enhanced punishment on the persons involved in communal violence, the proposed law would ensure speedy investigation and dispensation of justice.

It would seek to prevent such violence and provide relief and rehabilitation facilities to the victims.

There would be an institutional arrangement for ensuring all the provisions, the Minister said.

Authorities would be empowered to discharge their duties in assisting victims in the matter.

UNI