The government will seek the opinion of citizens and political, social and cultural leaders on introducing a Bill to control hartals, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said.
A press note quoting him on Wednesday said the Bill, now under preparation, was aimed at eliminating the hardships caused to the public by hartals. The last Cabinet meeting had decided to seek public opinion on the Bill.
The press note said the government had received several complaints about the difficulties caused by hartals. The Bill would make it mandatory to inform the public at least three days in advance about a hartal. It would also have provisions for the government to ban a hartal if there was a likelihood of violence.
Forcing shops to down shutters and intimidating citizens would be criminal offences inviting imprisonment up to six months and/or fine up to Rs.10,000 under the new law. The police would be required to make arrangements for safe travel and officials would face action for failure to do so.
