No honour killing Bill this session

The chances of either amending the existing law or bringing a fresh law to curb honour killings during the Monsoon session receded on Thursday, with only two states responding to the Centre’s request to send their opinion on the controversial issue.

The chances of either amending the existing law or bringing a fresh law to curb honour killings during the Monsoon session receded on Thursday, with only two states responding to the Centre’s request to send their opinion on the controversial issue.

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The Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee decided to give more time to the states to send their views.

The GoM was set-up last month to look into the issue, following differences in the union cabinet. A section of the cabinet favoured a new law to tackle the issue instead of amendments to the existing law.

It was not clear how much time would be given — with one minister saying an additional time of four weeks has been given, but another saying that states would be asked to respond by August 25.

The states’ views have been sought since the changes proposed require putting a new law on the Concurrent List, which both the Centre and the States would have to legislate.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram was understood to have pointed out the urgency for fresh measures to curb the growing social menace in the GoM, and wanted the bill to be introduced during this session.

Some of his colleagues were, however, of the opinion that the states should be given time to frame their views on the controversial subject.