NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
The Union Cabinet on Thursday decided to make three amendments to the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance in an attempt to make it more palatable to its critics and get it passed by Parliament.
The first is to reduce the period the law will remain in force from five years to three.
Revealing this to a handful of reporters, a senior minister, who wished to remain unnamed, said this change was being made in the 'sunset clause' on a suggestion from the Telugu Desam Party, an important ally of the ruling National Democratic Alliance. The rationale: the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government has only three years left in office.
Second, though property can be attached under POTO by a designated authority, only a judicial authority will be able to decide on forfeiture.
Third, the minister said, the provision relating to non-disclosure of relevant information by any citizen, including a journalist, would be amended because many NDA members had also opposed it.
The Anti-Terror Ordinance: The complete coverage
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
