M A I N   N E W S

Nanavati Commission’s term extended
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 29
The government today decided to extend the term of the Nanavati Commission, probing the 1984 riots in Delhi in the aftermath of the assassination of Indira Gandhi, by one month while approving an agreement with Bahrain to extend mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

The Union Cabinet at its meeting this morning decided to give the Nanavati Commission a month’s extension, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said after the meeting.

The commission’s term, which was set up on October 3, 2000, was to expire on December 31. It has almost completed its job and is in the process of writing its report, Mr Mukherjee told reporters.

In another decision, the government approved an agreement between India and Bahrain to extend mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, including acts of terrorism.

India has already signed accords on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with the US, the UK, Canada, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, France, Kyrghyzstan, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, South Africa, Thailand, Kuwait and South Korea.

In another significant move that will provide Indian seafarers free access to employment opportunities in the international shipping industry, government has approved the Seafarers Identity Documents adopted by the International Labour Organisation. 

The Cabinet gave its approval for ratifying the ILOC convention No 108 concerning Seafarers’ identity documents adopted by the international labour conference at its 41st (Maritime) session held in Geneva. 

It approved communicating the decision of the government to ratify Convention No 108 to the Director-General of the ILO in accordance with Article 19 of the ILO constitution, Mr Mukherjee said. 

The ratification of this convention will ensure Indian seafarers free access to employment opportunities, adequate safety and protection of right and freedom from any sort of exploitation, Mr Mukherjee said while adding that India would also fulfil its obligation under Article 19 of the ILO constitution.