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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra may dilute public security bill after legislators, civil society raise red flag
The Maharashtra government is considering diluting several provisions of the controversial Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, after opposition legislators and civil society activists questioned the necessity of such a law when existing legislations like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) already addresses terrorism and Naxalism. The proposed bill grants sweeping powers to the state to act against alleged Left-wing extremism. It has faced widespread backlash for being 'repressive' and potentially prone to misuse against dissenters and government critics. A 26-member joint select committee, comprising legislators from across political parties is presently reviewing the bill. It has received more than 12,300 objections by civil society groups and social organisations across the state. Despite government sources claiming the changes, the revised draft has yet not been signed by the legislators of the joint select committee. The next and final meeting is scheduled on June 25 where the said draft is likely to be presented. 'If the amendments are not as per the discussion, it will be difficult for us to sign. We may have to submit the dissent note in that case,' said a legislator from opposition who was part of the Joint Select Committee. The state government in May 2024 introduced the said bill. It gives sweeping powers to the state government to clamp down Naxal activities. It was opposed by civil society groups as well as opposition parties in the state saying those opposing government will be targeted using the bill by labelling them as involved in Naxal activities. 'One of the questions we raised was about allegations of malpractices in arresting several individuals to call them Naxal. There are allegations of planting digital evidence, hacking their e-mails. The law can be misused by agencies as proposed bill gives freedom to government agencies to use unlimited power to target individuals,' said a legislator from legislative council. The legislators also pointed out that existing UAPA has been used against Naxals in many cases. 'We asked that why can't the same be used? Why do we need this new law?' he said. According to another opposition MLA, the government was also asked about how agencies will differentiate between anti-government and anti-India protests? 'What if there is an act of violence in a protest against a government project by organisations? Will they be tried under this new law or existing ones? How will you differentiate?' the MLA asked. The demand of defining 'who is a Maoist' has also been raised, which has no clear answer in the present form of the bill. 'What constitutes a Maoist according to the government? We pointed out that if an affiliation to an organisation makes one Maoist, then we already have laws to deal with it,' the MLC said. Government sources have claimed that in a revised draft of the bill, amendment has been introduced to try only organisations and not individuals under the new law. In addition, the word 'unlawful activities' in the objective has been changed to 'unlawful activities of Leftist extremists.' 'The bill is now related to unlawful activities of Naxal or Leftist organisations. While I have demanded to remove the word Urban Naxal, I can comment on it only after seeing the draft of the bill,' said NCP-SP MLA Jitendra Awhad, a member of the committee. Another legislator Satej Patil of Congress sounded cautious. 'We have to wait until we see the draft. We have not yet signed it. We have raised valid questions in all three meetings and held deliberations for hours. We expect a positive response from the government,' he said.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Jersey lawmakers grill utility companies on impending rate hike
TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) — State lawmakers came face to face with New Jersey's major utility companies ahead of an impending rate spike. 'We did not cause this price spike,' said Rick Thigpen, Senior Vice President of PSE&G, during an hours-long hearing Friday. More Local News In a Joint Select Committee hearing at the State House, utility company leaders offered testimony on the ongoing issue of energy affordability and what role the companies that appear on customers' bills can play in helping them. 'We have to help them deal with the impacts this price spike will have on their budgets,' said Thigpen. The utility companies largely pointed how they're helping direct their customers to bill assistance resources, saving them millions this year alone, while also pointing out that they do not set electricity prices. Lawmakers, though, pushed back, saying while many factors play a role in pricing, they, as companies, are the face of the issue. 'If you don't make $1 billion, and you make $800 million, you all should be okay with that too, temporarily, so we protect the mothers and the fathers in the State of New Jersey,' said Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Senate Majority Leader). Some lawmakers are working on bills to help customers. Democratic Assemblywoman Andrea Katz has multiple bills, including one that would cap utility rate hikes at 2 percent annually. 'We need prices to go down,' said Katz (D-NJ 8th District). 'Too many of my constituents are trying to make ends meet and figure out whether they're going to put food on the table or pay their energy bills. That's absolutely unacceptable.' Meanwhile, Republican Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, too, has several bills, including one that would exempt gas or electric customers from paying sales tax on their bill, rather than the state benefiting from it. 'It's examples like that that we're trying to get through right now that at least lower the bills a little bit while we try to address the supply problem,' said Sauickie (R-NJ 12th District). Rates are set to go up on June 1st. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
