CPI asks govt to implement Verma Committee report

"The government must positively respond to the recommendations and follow it up with appropriate actions immediately," party National Secretary D Raja said here.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee, which is already considering the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill to amend the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act, should take note of the recommendations of the Verma Committee to incorporate the necessary changes, he said.

Observing that the Verma panel had given the required thrust towards gender equality as a collective responsibility of the society as a whole, Raja said it has also suggested measures to strengthen the existing laws and turn the existing courts into fast-track ones to deal with cases of sexual harrassment or rape.

The CPI leader said the Committee had made a series of suggestions with regard to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Representation of the People Act which were "quite significant".

He sought speedy action by the government to bring the recommendations of the Verma Committee into effect.