Pics:Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru(DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 11: T B Jayachandra State minister for law, justice and human Rights in his second visit to the district after assuming office as minister, today during a visit to the district Congress office, addressing the press meet said "Government after having serious discussion with legal experts on increased sexual assault cases over women have planed to amend section 164 to enable the conviction."

"In the state under POCSO act, 1577 cases have been registered, in which 281 cases have seen conviction while 1296 cases are yet to be disposed. Already IPC 376 has seen drastic changes and quantum of punishment has also been increased. As per the policy of Union government, state government had already established fast track courts in all districts of the state. And district principal session court judge will be dealing with the cases." He said.

He also said offenders who involve in sexual assaults have no awareness of law and fear of punishment.Hence state government has taken initiative and suggested information department to create awareness through publicity programmes.

Speaking on low conviction on sexual offenders, the minister said " Sexual assault cases should be disposed within 1 year but when the witnesses turning hostile, cases get prolonged and delayed. Hence government after consultation with the the legal experts has taken a decision to amend the law."

Speaking about areca nut and tobacco ban he said "Karnataka produces 60% areca nut crop in India. Many farmers are dependent on this crop. The proposal of the ban on areca nut crop is in supreme court. Hence farmers need not worry. After the verdict from supreme court comes, we will take the further steps."

On forming new committees in Muzari temples district committees and state committees, he said "The tenure of present committees will end in the month of February. Even the case is in the supreme court. As tenure ends government will form new committee to prevent the irregularities in the temples."

District in charge minster B Ramanath Rai said "Congress is the only party which contributed for the development of the poor. Congress provided land to poor when zamindars and capitalists protested. Soujanya issue was raised during the tenure of the BJP government when Sadananda Gowda was CM but after Congress government came to power it handed the case to CBI. District has various problems like communal harmony."

Rai asked the minister to form new committees related to the Muzari department.

Ibrahim Kodichal, A C Bhandary, Ivan D' Souza, Shashidhar Hegde, Deputy Mayor Kavitha, B Ibrahim, Kallige Tharanath Shetty, Kripa Alva and Hilda Alva among others were present.