New Delhi: Tourists visitng the capital can
now be spared of the tout menace as the Delhi Assembly on Monday
passed a bill providing for strict punishment for those
indulging in enticing, misguiding or coercing people for
shopping, accommodation and transportation.
The much talked-about anti-touting bill was introduced in
the House by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and was passed by a
voice vote without discussion in the absence of opposition BJP
members who were expelled for three days on Friday for causing
ruckus over Commonwealth Games corruption.
The Delhi Prevention of Touting and Malpractices Against
Tourists Bill, 2010 provides for a maximum jail term of
one year or maximum fine of Rs 10,000 or both for those
indulging in touting.
The bill also provides for jail term of six months, or
fine of Rs 5,000, or both for abetting touting or malpractice
and three months jail or fine of Rs 2,000 or both for
attempting to commit the offence. The offences will be
cognisable and bailable.
The proposed legislation will replace an ordinance
promulgated by Lieutenant Governor Tejinder Khanna on October
one, just ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
It aims at preventing "enticing, misguiding or coercing
for shopping, accommodation, transportation, sight-seeing or
pestering for any particular premises... any person,
establishment, dealer or manufacturer for personal
consideration."
As per definition given in the bill, malpractice includes
dishonesty, cheating, impersonation and obstruction in
allowing free choice for shopping or stay or travel
arrangements by the tourists.
The provisions of the legislation will be enforced by
the Delhi Police.
The bill authorises the Commissioner of Police or any
police officer not below the rank of DCP, to declare any
person who is habitually or repeatedly involved in activities
punishable under the new act, out of bounds from Delhi or any
part of the city for a period of six months. The period may be
extend to one year also.
The House also passed The Delhi Value Added Tax
(Amendment) Bill, 2010, providing for deduction of TDS (tax
deducted at source) at the rate of four per cent in case of
unregistered contractors and sub-contractors.
Keeping in view infrastructure development and
large-scale construction in the city, this enhancement of rate
of tax is expected to generate additional resources.
PTI
