UPCOCA delayed, Bill referred to special panel

The Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA) has been delayed for a month as the Legislative Council has referred it to a special committee for making necessary changes.

The state Government will now have to wait for the next session to get this Bill passed. The state Government had tabled the UPCOCA Bill in the state Assembly on October 31 and it was passed on November 5 by voice vote. However, in the Legislative Council where the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is in minority, the Bill could not be passed due to the strong opposition from the Samajwadi Party. The Bill was sent to the Legislative Council for consideration on Tuesday.

Initiating a debate on the Bill, BSP member and leader in the Council Swami Prasad Maurya said clearing the Bill is urgent as organised crime has become a big problem in the state. Opposing the Bill, SP MLC Rakesh Singh Rana said it is meant at harming the opponent of the ruling party. He said that a list of leaders has been prepared who would be booked under this Act and most of them are from the SP.