Reforms Commn suggests law empowering Centre to deploy forces

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) Second Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended enactment of law to empower the Union Government to deploy its forces anywhere in the country to tackle major public order problems which may lead to the breakdown of the constitutional machinery in a State. But such deployment should take place only after the concerned State fails to act on a 'direction' issued by the Union under Article 256 of the Constitution.

Stating this in a written reply to a question by Mr Tukaram Ganpatrao Renge Patil and others in Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri said the Commission suggested all such deployments should be only for a temporary period not exceeding three months, which could be extended by another three months after authorisation by Parliament. The law should spell out hierarchy of civil administration which would supervise the Central forces, the Commission added.

The Commission, the Minister said, also suggested re-examination of offences having inter-state or national ramification for investigation by Central authorities. It recommended inclusion of organised crime, terrorism, acts threatening national security, trafficking in arms and human beings, sedition, major crimes with inter-state ramifications, assassination and attempt on lives of major public figures as also serious economic offences in the list of such offences for federal investigation.

The Reforms Commission, he said, also suggested a new law to govern the working of Central Bureau of Investigation, stipulating its jurisdiction and empowering it to investigate new category of crimes.

The Minister said these recommendations are being examined and States would also be consulted whenever required.

UNI