New Delhi: Taking into account the differing
views of various political parties, government on Tuesday dropped
plans for a fresh Ordinance on the fate of properties left
behind by those who went to Pakistan during partition and
decided to bring a new bill in the next session of Parliament.
The Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh here, noted that there was no urgency to bring
an ordinance on Enemy Property to replace the one that has
expired with the completion of the Monsoon session of
Parliament on August 31.
During the Monsoon Session, the government was forced to
withdraw the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill,
2010 after the opposition by various parties.
The bill, brought in the backdrop of various court
rulings, made it clear that judiciary would have no
jurisdiction over occupation of such properties and the
decision would solely be taken by the government.
At the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister P Chidambaram noted
that several political parties had spoken in favour or against
the bill and therefore it would be appropriate to take
everyone on board on the issue, sources said.
Some ministers recalled that leaders from various parties
had either met Leader of the Lok Sabha and Finance Minister
Pranab Mukherjee or the Prime Minister to oppose the
Ordinance.
Keeping these aspects in view, the Cabinet decided
against bringing an Ordinance and instead opt for legislative
route.
"The Cabinet decided to bring a bill on Enemy Property in
the Winter Session of Parliament incorporating the original
Ordinance as well as the official amendments," an official
spokesman said.
With the government deciding against the fresh Ordinance,
the Supreme Court judgement that such properties be given to
the legal heirs would be applicable till a new law is enacted.
PTI
