After failing to ensure the passage of the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill (UPCOCB) in the Legislative Council, the Uttar Pradesh government will re-introduce it in the State Assembly on March 27.
The UPCOC was passed by the Legislative Assembly on December 21, 2017. The Upper House (Council), where the Opposition is in the majority, turned down the legislation on March 13 and returned it to the Assembly on March 14.
The proposed legislation, on the lines of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), seeks to curb organised crime and deal strictly with those trying to foment terror or dislodge the government forcibly or through violent means.
The UPCOC Bill, 2017, also seeks to act sternly against those using explosives or firearms or any other violent means or damaging life and property or involved in any anti-national or destructive act.
Number game
In the Upper House, the ruling BJP is in minority unlike in the 403-member Assembly, where it won 325 seats (along with allies). In the 100-member Council, the BJP has just 13 members.
The Samajwadi Party has 61 members, the BSP nine, the Congress two, the RLD one and other parties 12. Two seats are vacant.
