New Delhi, January 30
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that his government will be prompt in pursuing the recommendations made by Justice JS Verma Committee suggesting amendments to the law in dealing with sexual assault against women.

Praising the work done by the three-member committee, headed by the former Chief Justice of India, within 30 days of being set up, the Prime Minister said it bore testimony to the commitment.

“That the committee submitted its report within a short period of 30 days is testimony to your commitment and concern for the public good. On behalf of our government, I assure you that we will be prompt in pursuing the recommendations of the Committee,” Dr Singh said in his letter to Justice Verma, an official statement said.

The Prime Minister thanked him and the committee, which included Justice (retd) Leila Seth and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian, for their “labour of love” in completing the work of the panel set

up by the government to suggest amendments to the law to “deal effectively with cases of sexual assault of extreme nature against women”.

The committee was set up after strong public protests and national outrage demanding stricter laws to deal with assault against women and enhancing their safety in the wake of the brutal gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old Delhi girl in a moving bus on December 16.

The girl died on December 29 at a Singapore hospital after being shifted there for treatment. A fast-track court in Delhi is trying the case against the accused for their alleged involvement.

Among the recommendations in the 600-page report, the Verma Committee suggested enhancement of punishment up to 20 years imprisonment for rape and murder and life term for gang rape.