The Hindu : Karnataka to seek legal opinion on POTA

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 31, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Karnataka to seek legal opinion on POTA

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE MARCH 30. The State Cabinet is reported to have decided to seek legal opinion on whether it is mandatory on its part to implement the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) passed by the joint session of Parliament last Tuesday.

According to sources in the Government, the Cabinet on Saturday discussed the issue at length in view of the ruling party's opposition to POTA.

It concluded that it was appropriate to seek legal advice on the Constitutional requirement on implementing a Central Act by a State government.

Sources said the Cabinet felt that the situation in the State did not warrant use of POTA. If need be, it could use the provisions of the Karnataka Organised Crime (Prevention) Act. If the Government found itself in a position in which there was no option but to resort to POTA, it may think of implementing the Act. But, as of now, the Government would go by the opinion of legal experts, sources said.

They said the State Government was examining whether it was binding on it to implement an Act passed by Parliament. Sources recalled that many chief ministers had expressed reservation over implementing POTA.

Posts to be abolished

The Cabinet reportedly decided to implement, with immediate effect, a major recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission with regard to the post of divisional commissioner.

It will abolish the four posts of divisional commissioners, and give alternative postings to the incumbents.

Water supply

The Cabinet resolved to initiate measures on a war footing to tackle drinking water shortage in April, May, and June.

The deputy commissioners, who have been given Rs. 25 lakh each, have been asked to utilise funds to meet exigencies, without seeking the permission of the Government.

They have been directed to remain in the district headquarters and be in touch with the authorities concerned to solve problems in supply of water.

The ministers reportedly appealed to the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, to release adequate funds for providing drinking water, particularly in areas where shortage was acute.

Park on jail land

With a view to improving the environs around the Vidhana Soudha, the Government decided to develop the 17 acres of land on Seshadri Road, on which the Central jail was located, into a beautiful park. The jail has been shifted to the new building at Parappana Agrahara on the outskirts of Bangalore. Sources said the premises would be handed over to the Horticulture Department, and experts would prepare a plan for developing a park.

Rejuvenation of tanks

The Cabinet decided to order, under the Raitha Kayaka programme, desilting of one tank in each taluk from this week. State funds will be utilised for the project. The irrigation authorities will select the tank to be desilted, depending upon the availability of funds. The Government was unable to start work on the World Bank-funded Jala Samvardhane programme following objections filed by the Tamil Nadu Government. The Chief Minister is reported to have told his Cabinet colleagues not to resort to mass transfers of officials in their ministries.

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