Minister for Home K.J. George, who had faced the wrath of the Opposition for his alleged failure to handle his department, has now come under fresh attack. This time, he is in the dock for “oversight” in framing the sentences in the Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral traffic offenders, Slum-grabbers and Video or Audio pirates (Amendment) Bill 2014.
The Bill, which was adopted in the Assembly without a discussion, has typos and faulty sentence construction. For example, it refers to “sexual offences in public interest”, while the intention was to bring sexual offences under the ambit of the Goonda Act in the public interest. Similarly, money-laundering has become “many laundering”. The statement of objects and reasons — an important part of the Bill — states: “It is considered necessary to amend the Act to include the offences relating to acid attack, environment, digital media, land grabbing, many laundering and sexual offences in public interest.”
The mistakes in the Bill were pointed out by BJP leader and former Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar, who has written an open letter to the Home Minister. Taking a dig at him, he said “he was shocked by the sense of humour of the Home Department”. “What is the meaning of sexual offences in public interest? Are you trying to say that there are plenty of opportunities for indulging in sexual offences in public interest under your rule?” Mr. Kumar asked Mr. George.
“Bills are important documents, which are referred by the Centre and other States as they pertain to policies. They are strictly scrutinised before tabling in the legislature. Allowing such mistakes in the Bill is an embarrassment for the State,” he told The Hindu.
