Anti-superstition bill to be tabled during winter session, says Kagodu

 After much dilly-dallying, the state government will finally table in the controversial bill that proposes to ban evil practices during the winter session of the state legislature.

Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa told reporters the final version of the draft bill, modelled on a legislation against superstitions in Maharashtra, will be placed before the Cabinet soon. The bill had been referred to a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Thimmappa last year.

The draft bill — Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifices and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2016 — envisages banning practices such as human sacrifice, exorcism, black magic, witchcraft, aghori, rituals with self-inflicting injury, throwing of infants from a height on a bed of thorns, parading women in the naked and sexual exploitation by invoking supernatural powers.

The Cabinet had deferred approving the draft bill many times in the past as it was unable to finalise the list of dangerous practices to be banned. The minister said just a legislation against superstition is not sufficient but there should be a change in the mindset of people.

Akrama - Sakrama
The state government will contemplate extending the deadline for regularisation of houses illegally constructed on government land. “The last date for the scheme, popularly known as “Akrama- Sakrama”, ended on September 12 this year. However, there is a demand that more time be given to apply for the scheme. We will take a decision in the next Cabinet meeting,” Thimmappa said. As many as 5.4 lakh applications had been received for regularisation of houses built on government land in rural areas and 1.67 lakh from urban areas, he added.

Thimmappa said the Inam Abolition Act will be amended soon to ensure effective implementation of its provisions.