West Bengal’s Aparajita Bill faces delay as Governor CV Ananda Bose refuses to sign it on Thursday(5th September), citing the absence of a required technical report. The bill, which received unanimous legislative approval, cannot proceed without this report.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
KOLKATA: West Bengal’s anti-rape bill, officially known as the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to strengthen protections for women and children in the state. Unanimously passed by both the state government and the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, this crucial piece of legislation, commonly referred to as the Aparajita Bill, faces a significant hurdle on its journey to becoming law.
On Thursday (September 5th), Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose refused to sign the bill, citing the absence of a technical report, a key requirement for his assent. This move has stirred a heated debate between the Raj Bhavan and the Mamata Banerjee government, raising concerns about the legislative process and the safety of women in the state.
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose Raises Concerns
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose explained that his refusal to approve the bill stemmed from the lack of a mandatory technical report, which the Mamata Banerjee government had failed to provide.
“The Aparajita Bill cannot be approved without the technical report,”
-Bose emphasized, stressing the importance of following due legislative processes.
A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan on September 5 revealed the Governor’s dissatisfaction with the state government’s approach. According to the Raj Bhavan, this was not the first instance where the government had failed to provide necessary technical reports for bills.
The statement expressed-
“The Governor is dissatisfied with the conduct of the Mamata government.”
A Recurring Issue with the Mamata Banerjee Government
Governor Bose highlighted that the Mamata Banerjee government had a history of neglecting procedural requirements, which led to delays in approving other bills. He remarked that Nabanna, the state’s administrative headquarters, had failed to send technical reports for several bills passed by the assembly.
“The Mamata government later blamed the Raj Bhavan for this.”
– Bose stated, stressing that according to protocol, the government is duty-bound to submit the required documents before the Governor can make a decision on giving assent to any bill.
In a firm reminder, the Governor said-
“The government needs to be better prepared for important issues like this.”
emphasizing the need for thoroughness in critical legislative processes.
Criticism of the Aparajita Bill as a ‘Copy-Paste’
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose didn’t stop at criticizing the lack of a technical report. He also questioned the originality of the Aparajita Bill, labeling it a “copy-paste” version of similar legislation passed in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Arunachal Pradesh. Bose indicated that some of these state bills were still awaiting approval from the President of India.
The Governor expressed frustration over the government’s strategy, remarking-
“Mamata Banerjee is threatening to stage a dharna to mislead the people of Bengal, despite knowing that some of these Bills are still awaiting the President’s assent.”
He saw this tactic as an attempt to mislead the public and shift blame, calling it nothing more than a political maneuver.
Bose took a strong stand against what he perceived as “gimmicks at this critical juncture in Bengal’s contemporary history,” highlighting the gravity of the current situation and the need for genuine leadership.
Political Gimmicks and Sensitive Issues
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose also expressed deep concern about the Mamata Banerjee government’s use of political tactics on an issue as sensitive as women’s safety. He condemned the apparent disregard for the emotions of the victims’ families and the gravity of the situation. He went as far as to label the government’s actions as irresponsible, commenting-
“This appears to be a government of half-wits run on half-truths.”
These sharp words illustrate the Governor’s displeasure with the way the state government has handled such a delicate issue, especially in light of recent events that have brought the safety of women in Bengal under intense scrutiny.
Aparajita Bill: A Response to Public Outcry
The Aparajita Bill was introduced in response to the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. This incident sparked widespread protests across West Bengal, as citizens questioned the state’s ability to protect women. The Mamata Banerjee government acted swiftly to address these concerns, presenting the Aparajita Bill in the West Bengal Assembly on September 3, 2024.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the requirement for the police to complete their investigation into rape cases within 21 days. This accelerated timeline aims to ensure swift justice for victims and restore confidence in the state’s legal system.
After being unanimously passed by the Assembly, the bill was sent to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose for approval. However, his refusal to sign the bill has now delayed its progress. Once approved by the Governor, the bill will be sent to the President of India for final assent. Only after receiving the President’s seal of approval can the Aparajita Bill officially become law.
