Almost two months after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) showed alacrity in clearing the controversial anti-terror Bill of the Gujarat government, it is yet to get President Pranab Mukherjee’s assent. Till the time the President signs on the Bill, it cannot become an Act.
The Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Bill (GCTOC), 2015, was cleared by the Assembly last March.
The MHA sent it to the President for approval in September second week. The President is yet to give his assent, and the Bill is still with his office, a senior government official told The Hindu . The official said the President had not asked for any clarifications though.
As reported by The Hindu earlier, the MHA watered down the Bill and rejected Gujarat’s suggestion that the State Home Secretary be the final authority on phone tapping requests. The MHA said the State could not have “absolute powers” and such decisions and clearances would only be processed by the Union Home Secretary.
Rejected thrice
The Bill was rejected by the UPA government thrice. It was first sent for the Centre’s approval in 2003 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Gujarat’s Chief Minister. “Let’s not assume that the President is not going to sign on the Bill as it was sent two months ago. It’s the President’s prerogative and he might ask the Centre for clarifications, if he pleases to. Till now, such a request has not come from his office,” a senior official of the Home Ministry said.
On fast track The Bill was fast-tracked after Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed all pending State legislation on August 25. Though more than 100 laws were pending, the MHA expedited the GCTOC Bill after the review meeting.
