Ordinance to amend POTA in a week's time

An ordinance to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be promulgated in a week's time to accord statutory power to the review committees and make their decisions binding on state governments, a top official said on Wednesday.

Under increasing pressure from the Marumalarachi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam complaining against the alleged misuse of POTA, the Union Cabinet had on Tuesday cleared the ordinance to give statutory powers to the review committees.

A Bill to replace it will be moved in the winter session of Parliament.

While Justice Arun Saharya heads a three-member Central Review Committee, states could also set up such committees to deal with complaints lodged by those charged with POTA.