The government is likely to amend the Sati Act to treat a woman who burns herself in the funeral pyre of her husband as a victim and not as an offender.

The matter is likely to come up before the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], official sources in New Delhi said.

Under the amended Act, those who incite a woman would be seen as offenders and could face rigorous imprisonment ranging from one to seven years.

This is one of the 16 issues that will be taken up at the meeting, the sources added.