Maha govt to table Social boycott bill in budget session

The Maharashtra government today decided to table the 'Prohibition of Social boycott bill' in the ensuing budget session of state Legislature, beginning on March 9.

"The bill aims to root out evil, outdated and unconstitutional practices of Caste Panchayats, Gavki, Community Panchayats, etc," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said after the Cabinet meeting here.

"Strict punishment provisions have been made in this bill to end this harassment and gives the right to live life with dignity," the CM tweeted.

The development assumes significance as the practice of social boycott of a person or group of persons, and their family members, still continues in various parts of the state and the existing laws have not proved effective in tackling the issue.

Social boycott is practiced at the behest of a 'Caste Panchayat' at the community level that regulates its various practices, personal or social behaviour of the members and resolves disputes by issuing written or oral dictums, an official said.

As per the draft bill, "Community" means a group, the members of which are connected together by reason or the fact that by birth, conversion or the performance of any religious rites or ceremonies, they belong to the same religion or religious creed, and includes a caste or sub-caste, he said.

The Cabinet also approved transferring of 143 acre of land for IIM in Nagpur at a concessional rent. It also approved transferring of 150 acre of land for AIIMS in Nagpur at concessional rent.