New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS): Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari Thursday said the government was open to suggestions on the ordinance amending anti-rape laws.

"The ordinance is an attempt to address those issues which are important. When the bill comes in parliament, there will be a debate and suggestions will come up. Government is open to all suggestions," Manish Tewari said, while interacting with women journalists at the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC).

An ordinance has been brought by the government based on the suggestions of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, formed after the brutal rape of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi. The woman succumbed to her injuries in Singapore Dec 29.

An ordinance is a law made by government while parliament is not in session. It has to be approved by the parliament within six months, or it lapses.

A bill to amend anti-rape laws is scheduled to be brought before parliament in the budget session, set to begin Feb 21.