New Delhi: A bill fixing 16 years as the
age of consent for sex is among other proposed legislations
slated for introduction in Parliament during the current
Budget session.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill
which seeks to bring sexual offences against children under
legal purview for the first time and award harsh punishment to
offenders, will be tabled during the session which began
today.
Earlier reports that the proposed bill would legalise
consensual sexual relations between 12-year olds, had
generated a lot of hue and cry.
But the Women and Child Development Ministry was quick
to clarify that the draft of the bill does not talk about
legally permitting 12-year-old children to have
non-penetrative sex and instead fixes the age of consent at 16
years and above.
Ministry sources said the bill might be introduced in
the second half of the session as it was yet to be cleared by
the Cabinet.
Another proposed legislation to be introduced this
session seeks to prohibit indecent representation of women
through advertisements or in publications, writings or
paintings.
The Women`s Reservation Bill is also among the 31
bills to be brought for consideration and passage during the
three-month session.
The bill, already passed by Rajya Sabha, seeks to
provide one third reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and
the state assemblies.
In her address to the joint session of Parliament
today, President Pratibha Patil expressed the hope that the
women`s bill would be considered by the Lok Sabha at the
earliest.
However, the Protection of Women against Sexual
Harassment at Workplace Bill was still under the scrutiny of
Parliament`s Standing Committee on Women.
The bill, introduced in the last session, seeks to
ensure a safe environment for women at work places, both in
public and private sectors whether organised or unorganised.
PTI
