M A I N   N E W S

GoM to write to CMs on honour killings
Anita Katyal
Our Political Correspondent

New Delhi, August 12
A nine-member Group of Ministers (GOM), headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, today decided to write to Chief Ministers for their views on possible legal remedies to counter the pernicious practice of honour killings ordered by khap panchayats before proceeding further on this matter.

The decision was taken at the first meeting of the ministerial panel today, which was set up to scrutinise the special legal amendments proposed by Home Minister P Chidambaram to deal with the menace of honour killings.

Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Chidambaram said his ministry had written to Chief Ministers for their views after such a suggestion was made at the July 8 meeting of the Union Cabinet, but only a couple of states like Dadar Nagar Haveli had responded.

“Since none of the important states have responded, we cannot do anything more. We will send them fresh reminders,” Chidambaram said.

The Home Minister said the Centre was keen on passing the Bill on honour killings in the ongoing Parliament session and that the next GOM meeting would be held by the end of the next week by which time the responses from the states should be in.

Following up on his views in the Cabinet, Sports Minister MS Gill again stressed the need for consultations with states at today’s meeting, particularly the Northern states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where the practice of honour killings is prevalent.

The Home Minister, it is learnt, pointed to the poor response his letter had elicited from states.

It was also suggested that instead of amending the provisions of the IPC, the Indian Evidence Act and the Special Marriages Act, the Centre should consider the possibility of enacting a stand-alone law on honour killings.