Q:On Tuesday, a number of states are expected to express their views on the contentious Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016 at a Select Committee meeting of the Rajya Sabha.
Latest Answer: The 1968 Act regulates these enemy properties and lists the powers of the Custodian. The panel had earlier called Chief Secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Delhi, but most of the states had sent junior officers while some sent only their Resident Commissioners based in Delhi, to which the panel members had taken strong objection.
Q:Now, the home ministry is expediting a bill to amend the Damage of Public Property Act, 1984, to ensure that agitators are made to pay monetary compensation for cruel acts during the agitation.
Latest Answer: Another amendment was entry of a Section 4B that will address ''abetment of mischief''. According to this new clause where damage to public property is caused in consequences of demonstration, hartal or bandh called by any organization, office-bearers of such organization shall be deemed guilty of the commission of the offense of abutment of an offense punishable under this Act and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
