As the Opposition questioned the Centre’s intentions on bringing an Ordinance to amend the criminal laws, the Government made it clear that this was only the starting point of a legislative process.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, said the legislative process began with Article 123 of the Constitution and would end when the Bill was passed by Parliament under Article 107 and such Bill was assented to by the President under Article 111.

“I would, therefore, like to emphasise that the legislative process is not yet complete,” he said, and added that the process would be completed in the forthcoming session of Parliament.

Rejecting allegations that the Ordinance was an eyewash, Chidambaram said discussions on amending criminal laws should be taken above partisan views. The CPI (M) had alleged that it was against democratic norms to issue such an ordinance when Parliament was scheduled to meet this month.

The party had also alleged that the Ordinance rejected the Justice J.S. Verma Committee’s recommendations on issues like making rape a gender-specific crime, on increasing the punishment to public servants guilty of dereliction of duty, of increasing the punishment and also guaranteed compensation for victims of acid attacks.

Chidambaram said the Government had not rejected any recommendations. He said some of the suggestions could not be added in the Ordinance as they required more discussion. “The Government hopes stringent provisions in the ordinance will have a deterrent effect on potential criminals till a new law is enacted by Parliament,” Chidambaram added.

The President, Pranab Mukherjee, gave his assent to the ordinance on Sunday.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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