Dehradun: The Uttarakhand state cabinet has passed a bill to make rioters financially responsible for damages to both public and private property. This bill includes provisions for penalties and jail terms for offenders. If implemented, Uttarakhand will become the third state in India, after Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, to enact such a law.
Bill will be tabled in upcoming assembly session
The state cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Tuesday, gave green signal to table the Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery bill in the upcoming assembly session to be commenced on 21 August. This bill will hold rioters responsible for damages caused to public and private properties.
Uttarakhand will be the third state to enact such a law
After Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Uttarakhand will be the third state that will ensure that the cost of damage to government and private properties is recovered from the perpetrators during riots or protests. The bill, Uttarakhand Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill, is similar to the bill passed by the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh in 2020 and the Haryana government in 2021.
The government brought the ordinance after Banbhoolpura violence
The Uttarakhand government had brought the ordinance in February after an anti-encroachment drive in Banphoolpura in Haldwani which led to violence in the locality in which some people were killed. Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (Retd) gave his approval to this ordinance in March this year.
What will Change?
The bill aims to ensure that the cost of damage to public property during protests or strikes is recovered from the perpetrators. If enacted, a tribunal chaired by a retired district judge will be established to determine compensation for property losses. Additionally, this bill is expected to help reduce violence during riots, as perpetrators will likely be deterred by the prospect of economic losses. By holding individuals financially accountable for the damage they cause, it aims to promote more peaceful forms of protest and discourage destructive behaviour.