Author: Agencies
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 10, 2009
Governor S C Jamir, who is holding additional
responsibility of Gujarat, has given his assent to the Guj-COC bill, which
had seen a confrontation between the Centre and state government, even as
he referred to the Union government another legislation brought in after the
hooch tragedy in the state.
The governor has approved GujCOC (Gujarat
Control of Organise Crime) and the Disturbed Areas Act (amendment) bill, which
were passed by the assembly in the last session. The bills were also sent
for presidential nod, sources said on Monday.
Jamir, however, returned the bill amending
the Bombay Prohibition Act. The bill was amended proposing death penalty and
life imprisonment for those found guilty of manufacturing, selling and supply
of hooch which results in death.
It was introduced by the BJP government following
a hooch tragedy which had claimed over 130 lives in July. "The governor
has approved GujCOC and the Disturbed Areas (amendment) Act while the amendment
bill on the prohibition act has been sent back for reconsideration,"
an official said. The Disturbed Areas Act was amended to check illegal transfer
of properties in communally sensitive areas.
GujCOC bill was re-introduced and passed by
the assembly after it was returned by the Centre with recommendation of changes.
Theassembly passed the bill as it was, rejecting the suggestion. Originally,
GujCOC was passed in 2004 and sent for the President's assent. However, for
more than four years the bill has now been tossed between Gandhinagar and
Delhi.
