R’sthan refers ‘gag’ Bill to panel

Jaipur, October 25
Facing flak from various quarters, the Rajasthan Government today referred a controversial Bill, which seeks to protect public servants and judges from prosecution without its prior sanction, to a select committee of the Assembly.
Amid an uproar from the opposition Congress, the Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Assembly by Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria on Monday to replace an ordinance promulgated on September 7.
As the House began on second day for Question Hour, Opposition members raised the issue, demanding withdrawal of the Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill and rushed to the well shouting slogans and traded charges with the treasury benches.
Kataria told the House that the state government had sought the President’s approval while issuing the ordinance on September 7. Independent MLA Manik Chand Surana had yesterday raised the point that no approval of the President was attached with the Bill.
Comparing the Maharashtra Government’s Bill with Rajasthan’s, Kataria said the provision of 180 days against Maharashtra’s 80 days and restriction on the media for coverage of a case before 180 days would be reviewed.
Kataria’s motion to refer the Bill to select committee was passed by a voice vote, Speaker Kailash Meghwal announced. The select committee has been asked to submit its report in the next session.
With Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje not present in the House, the Congress picked up farmers’ crop loan waiver demand and did not allow the Speaker to run the House, which was adjourned for an hour.
Last night, Raje had called a special meeting and summoned her six Cabinet ministers, asking them to review the Bill’s provision.
Earlier, hundreds of mediapersons affiliated to their trade unions held a protest march wearing black bands against the Bill, which they called “black law” and depriving right of expression and freedom to right.
Meanwhile, PCC President Sachin Pilot said it was a victory of the Congress that compelled the ruling BJP government to check passage of the “gag” Bill, and it is now a face-saving exercise of the elected government.
The ordinance seeks to protect serving and former judges, magistrates and public servants in the state from being investigated for on-duty action, without its prior sanction. It also bars the media houses from reporting on such accusations till the sanction to proceed with the probe is given by the government.