Jharkhand approves bill against religious conversion

The Jharkhand Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to the Jharkhand Religious Independence Bill 2017, which aims to ban religious conversion in the state.

"The Cabinet has approved Jharkhand Religious Independence Bill 2017, banning forcible conversion. Anyone found violating the provisions of the bill will be liable for three years' imprisonment or Rs 50,000 fine or both," said a statement by the government.

"If the conversion act is done with a minor, a member of the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, or women, then the person will face four years of imprisonment or Rs 1 lakh fine or both," it added.

The bill is likely to be introduced during the monsoon session of the state assembly, scheduled to begin from August 9.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to give an amount of Rs 1 crore to the Deputy Commissioner of each district for disaster management.

--IANS

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