Two amendment bills introduced in HP assembly

Shimla, Mar 14 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today introduced two amendment bills -- Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Specific Corrupt Practices (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and Himachal Pradesh Judicial officers (pay, allowances and conditions of service) Amendment Bill -- in the state assembly.

He said the objective of the Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Specific Corrupt Practices (Amendment) Bill is to bring the provisions of section 36-A of the Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Specific Corrupt Practices Act, 1983 in consonance with the provisions of section 17 and clause (c) of section 2 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

It has been decided to insert similar provision under section 36-A of the Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Specific Corrupt Practices Act, 1983, he said, adding it would empower the state government to authorise by a specific or general order a police officer not below the rank of an Inspector of police to investigate the cases falling under the act ibid.

Mr Dhumal said apart from this it has been decided to substitute the definition of public servant provided under the explanation to section 36-A of the act ibid with the definition of public servant as defined under clause (c) of section 2 of the prevention of corruption Act, 1988, so as to bring uniformity in procedure to be followed in investigation of offences under the prevention of corruption Act, 1988 and the Himachal Pradesh prevention of specific corrupt practices Act, 1983.

Introducing the Himachal Pradesh Judicial officers (Pay, Allowances and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2008, the Chief Minister said that it has been decided to bring this amendment so as to enable the grant of benefits and allowances as directed by the Supreme Court to the judicial officers.

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