<p>The Rajasthan government is likely to replace a controversial ordinance that shields public servants from prosecution for on-duty action without prior sanction with a bill in the Assembly.<br /><br />While the BJP has a majority in the 200-member House, the Congress has challenged the government on the issue.<br /><br />A source said the Assembly session, starting Monday, is going to be stormy as both parties are expected to get into heated arguments.<br /><br />The Opposition and the civil society in Rajasthan have threatened to stage a protest.<br /><br />“The move is meant to protect officials from allegations since the BJP government is ‘neck-deep in corruption’. This move will encourage officers to indulge in corruption as there will be no checks,” state Congress president Sachin Pilot said. <br /><br />According to the ordinance, the media will be also barred from disclosing the names of public servants, including judges and magistrates, under investigation until prior sanction is granted for their prosecution.<br /><br />“It is a sinister attempt by the state government to abridge the fundamental right of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution. The ordinance seeks to thwart the citizens’ right to access the criminal justice system in cases of complaints against abuse of the law by public servants,” Kavita Shrivastav, general secretary, People’s Union for Civil Liberties, told DH. <br /><br />DH News Service</p>
<p>The Rajasthan government is likely to replace a controversial ordinance that shields public servants from prosecution for on-duty action without prior sanction with a bill in the Assembly.<br /><br />While the BJP has a majority in the 200-member House, the Congress has challenged the government on the issue.<br /><br />A source said the Assembly session, starting Monday, is going to be stormy as both parties are expected to get into heated arguments.<br /><br />The Opposition and the civil society in Rajasthan have threatened to stage a protest.<br /><br />“The move is meant to protect officials from allegations since the BJP government is ‘neck-deep in corruption’. This move will encourage officers to indulge in corruption as there will be no checks,” state Congress president Sachin Pilot said. <br /><br />According to the ordinance, the media will be also barred from disclosing the names of public servants, including judges and magistrates, under investigation until prior sanction is granted for their prosecution.<br /><br />“It is a sinister attempt by the state government to abridge the fundamental right of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution. The ordinance seeks to thwart the citizens’ right to access the criminal justice system in cases of complaints against abuse of the law by public servants,” Kavita Shrivastav, general secretary, People’s Union for Civil Liberties, told DH. <br /><br />DH News Service</p>
