By IANS,
New Delhi : The home ministry is studying a new draft bill on communal violence sent by the National Advisory Council (NAC), parliament was informed Tuesday.
After stating the need for a fresh law on the subject, the NAC sent a draft bill, Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011, to the home ministry last month, Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha.
He said this followed a number of recommendations received from civil society groups and other stake holders on the earlier ‘Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005.
The bill provides for declaring certain areas as communal disturbed by state governments, enhanced punishment for offences related to communal violence, speedy investigation and trail of offenders through special courts, and barring discrimination in providing relief and compensation.
The bill also provides for special powers to the central government in certain cases, a provision that has triggered objections from some state governments.