Justice Basha Commission has sought more time to complete consultations on anti-honour killing law: Minister

The Commission headed by retired High Court judge Justice K.N. Basha, constituted by the Tamil Nadu government to recommend legislation to prevent caste-based crimes committed in the name of honour, has sought more time to complete its consultations, Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Chennai after participating in the review meeting of the Social Justice Department chaired by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the Minister said the Commission was still receiving petitions and representations from victims through social activists and had also sought the views of political parties.

“Justice Basha Commission is still receiving petitions and representations from victims through social activists. It has also sought the views of political parties. So far, the VCK and the CPI(M) have submitted their representations to the Commission. We have apprised the Chief Minister in this regard. As the consultative process is still ongoing, Justice Basha has sought more time,” he said.

The Social Justice Department had sought an additional budgetary allocation from the Chief Minister. The allocation for the department would see a substantial increase in this year’s Budget, he said adding that the State government was taking measures to provide house-site pattas to every eligible SC/ST family, and the Chief Minister would make an announcement in this regard soon.

Further, the Minister said Social Justice hostels across the State would be upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern libraries. He also said the number of seats under the Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme for studying abroad would be increased from the present 180, as the Chief Minister has given his approval.