The Centre on Tuesday decided to accord statutory powers to the Prevention of Terrorism Act review committee for redressal of complaints by individuals booked under the act

Several state governments are facing criticism for the 'misuse' of POTA.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said despite several safeguards implemented by the National Democratic Alliance government to prevent the act's misuse, several 'complaints of misuse' had been received.

The promulgation of the ordinance is aimed at ensuring that POTA is used against those charged with terrorism, she said. The government, she added, wanted to ensure the law was not misused.

Maintaining that individuals charged under the law did not have a redressal forum, the minister said the government decided to make a provision so that the findings of the review committee were binding on the Centre, state government and the investigating officer.