Terrorists to get Death or Life Imprisonment in Karnataka
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
BANGALORE, Jul 29: the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2009, to include the act of terrorism as organized crimes and to provide deterrent punishment of death or imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 10 lakh for committing an offence.
Minister for Home V S Acharya, who explained objectives of the Bill, said the Bill was introduced to amend the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act, 2000. It envisages the attachment of property of the accused pending investigation; and increase the period for filling the charge sheet from 180 days to 365 days, he said.
Stamp Bill
The Assembly also passed the Karnataka Stamp (second amendment) Bill, 2009, to reduce the stamp duty on sale transactions of all kinds of immovable properties, including agricultural lands, from 7.5 per cent to six per cent. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced this proposal in the 2009-10 budget. The Bill was aimed to replace the ordinance promulgated by the Governor, Minister for Revenue G Karunakara Reddy said.
The House also passed the Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum-Grabbers (Amendment) Bill, 2009; the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2009; and the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Bill, 2009.
Dr. Acharya said the Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum-Grabbers (Amendment) Bill, 2009, provided for detention of persons who are engaged in any of the activities as a video or video pirate habitually for commercial gain, which affect adversely the maintenance of public order in relation of cinematograph film.
The Minister said the Indian Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2009, was introduced following the directions by the Supreme Court. It was aimed to check unauthorised occupation of government premises by government employees. There are instances where the government employees continued to stay in government premises after the service of notices served upon them to vacate the same, he said.
Dr. Acharya said the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Bill, 2009, was considered necessary to prohibit refusal to work in certain essential services connected with production, generation, storage, transmission, supply or distribution of water or electricity, transport services for the carriage of passengers or goods by motor vehicles or employment.