Originally introduced to curb urban Naxalism and safeguard public order, the bill has undergone significant revisions aimed at addressing widespread public concerns
Vidhan Bhavan. File Photo
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday introduced the amended Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 in the Legislative Assembly, following detailed scrutiny by a Joint Committee led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
Originally introduced to curb urban Naxalism and safeguard public order, the bill has undergone significant revisions aimed at addressing widespread public concerns. Speaking in the Assembly, Bawankule emphasized that the bill’s scope has now been narrowed to specifically target unlawful activities related to left-wing extremism or actions ideologically aligned with it. This ensures that political and social organizations are not wrongfully targeted under the law.
The Joint Committee, which convened five times, reviewed more than 12,500 suggestions submitted by citizens, activists and organisations across the state. Based on this feedback, the committee incorporated several safeguards into the bill. One of the key provisions mandates that any proposal to declare an organization as unlawful must be approved by an Advisory Board. This board will be chaired by a sitting or retired High Court judge and will also include a District Judge and an officer of the rank of Director General of Police.
Additionally, the responsibility of conducting inquiries under the bill has been elevated from a Police Sub-Inspector to a Deputy Superintendent of Police, ensuring a higher level of oversight and professionalism in the investigative process.
The committee included senior legislators such as Jayant Patil, Nana Patole, Bhaskar Jadhav, Jitendra Awhad, and Ambadas Danve, who played an instrumental role in refining the legislation. With these amendments, the government aims to strike a balance between maintaining public security and protecting democratic freedoms.
The revised bill is expected to be taken up for further discussion and passage in the ongoing session of the Maharashtra Legislature.
Maharashtra govt to probe 1,628 cases of illegal transfer of tribal land
More than 1,600 cases of the illegal transfer of tribal lands to non-tribal people have been identified for investigation in Maharashtra and a report will be submitted, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told the legislative assembly on Wednesday.
He stated that agricultural land can only be transferred to tribals, while non-agricultural transfers for commercial, industrial or residential purposes are subject to strict scrutiny under 34 conditions and Supreme Court guidelines.
A total of 1,628 cases from various parts of the state, including 732 from the Konkan region, have been identified for investigation by divisional commissioners, he added.
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