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Rajya Sabha saw repeated disruptions as the opposition protested over the Prime Minister's statement on VVIP chopper deal.
Lok Sabha passed the Anti Hijacking Bill. During the debate members raised concerns about the preparedness of the government to deal with exigencies related to hijacking. Further some members suggested that a specialised force be set up and trained to handle such situations.
The Bill has been examined by a Standing Committee, and has been passed by the Rajya Sabha last week with some amendments. A comparison of the bill as passed by Rajya Sabha and the Standing Committee Recommendations is given below.
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Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2014 |
Standing Committee Recommendations |
Bill as passed by Rajya Sabha |
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Death penalty for hijacking (Clause 4) |
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§ Hijacking will be punishable with death, where it results in death of a hostage or security personnel. |
§ Punishable with death penalty, if hijacking results in death of any person (including hostage or security personnel). § ‘Hostage’ and ‘security personnel’ may be defined in the Bill. |
§ Addressed.
§ Addressed. [Hostage: any passenger, or crew member, or security personnel on board an aircraft, or ground support staff, who is detained without consent to ensure fulfilment of some demands. Security personnel: any security person deployed or authorised by the central government to ensure security of civil aviation against acts of hostage taking, hijacking, etc.] |
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Compensation for victims |
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§ No provision. |
§ Necessary provisions should be included in the Bill to provide for compensation to victims or their dependents. |
§ Not addressed. |
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Applicability of other laws for acts of violence committed alongside hijacking (Clause 5) |
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§ When any act of violence is committed against any passenger or crew member alongside the hijacking, it will be punishable under other applicable Indian laws (eg. Indian Penal Code, 1860). |
§ This protection should be extended to cover acts of violence against ground staff or security personnel as well. |
§ Not addressed. |
Lok Sabha also took up discussion on the Uttarakhand Budget.
Lok Sabha was sitting at the time of sending this report.