By IANS,
New Delhi : The government Tuesday tabled a bill in the Lok Sabha to set up the National Investigating Agency (NIA) as part of the security overhaul following last month’s terror attack in Mumbai.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram tabled the NIA Bill as well as a bill to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The move came a day after the union cabinet approved the proposal to amend the act and to set up a federal probe agency.
The NIA Bill provides for setting up an agency at the central level with powers to probe terrorism and other crimes having national ramifications.
According to its provisions, the investigation agency will “have the powers to investigate and prosecute offences affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India”.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2008, aims at strengthening the arrangements for speedy investigation, prosecution and trial of cases related to terrorism while at the same time guarding against any possible misuse of such provisions.
Amendments to other laws including the Central Industrial Security Force Act – legislation which covers the activities of the paramilitary force guarding state-owned installations including airports – is also expected to be introduced shortly.