NEW DELHI, May 13 — The Union Cabinet today approved three separate Bills for the creation of new states of Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh.

The Bills for carving out the new States from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are likely to be introduced in the Parliament on May 17, the last day of the current Budget session, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Cabinet spokesman, Mr Pramod Mahajan, told media persons after the Cabinet meeting.

He said the details of the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Bill and Bihar Reorganisation Bill would be given to Parliament on Monday.

Mr Mahajan said the Cabinet gave the approval for the creation of the new States after the states concerned sent back to the Centre the legislations on the subject after adopting resolutions in their respective State assemblies.

The minister however, declined to give details of the changes recommended by the States on the legislations saying since the Parliament was in session, the Bill has to be circulated among the members first. The government has accepted certain suggestions submitted by the state governments and also incorporated fresh clauses in the revised Bills, he added.

The Cabinet also approved the revised Information Technology Bill, 1999 to enable the government to provide legal framework for electronic commerce.

The revised Bill includes punitive measures to combat cyber crime, based on the recommendations of the Parliament Standing Committee.

The Bill introduced in Parliament last December to provide a framework for electronic commerce is likely to come up for consideration during the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.

Mr Mahajan said all suggestions of the Standing Committee which were approved by the Ministry of Information Technology would be incorporated in the Bill.

The significant part of the Bill is that it provides for a regulatory regime to supervise digital signature system, essential for carrying out financial transactions through internet and other electronic modes.

UNI adds: The Cabinet also approved the Freedom of Information and amendments to related acts and rules Bill.