Trinamool Congress uses federal word to stall two more bills

NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress has forced the Union Cabinet to postpone a decision on the Coal Regulatory Authority Bill and proposed changes in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The UAPA changes pertain to making circulation of high-quality fake Indian currency a terrorist offence.

During the discussion on the two bills during the meeting of the Union Cabinet, railway minister Mukul Roy, point-person of Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee, cited the 'wide-ranging implications' of the bills on the states to demand wider consultations.

Roy is said to have objected to the bill seeking to create coal regulatory body with powers to not only set prices of raw coal but also to grant or cancel mining licences. He said its impact on states needed greater assessment and asked why a similar regulator was not proposed for the iron-ore sector.

On the proposed amendments to UAPA, Trinamool echoed concerns expressed in the report of the standing committee on home affairs over the lack of feedback from states.

According to the report, only governments of Karnataka and Daman and Diu responded to the home ministry's communication to the states, seeking their views on provisions of the bill. Mukul Roy is said to have insisted on wider consultations with the states, citing federal concerns.

The UAPA (Amendment) Bill, 2011, also seeks to empower law enforcement agencies to confiscate funds being collected for financing terrorism, apart from proceeds from terrorism which already qualify for confiscation under the existing act.