Revised Maharashtra special public security Bill likely to be tabled in Assembly today

The Maharashtra government is likely to introduce a revised draft of the special public security Bill aimed at curbing ‘left-wing extremist organisations’ in the Assembly on Thursday.

State Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule tabled the report of the joint select committee on the Bill on Wednesday.

“We have brought clarity to the Bill, which aims to tackle illegal activities of extreme left-minded individuals and groups,” Mr. Bawankule told the House.

The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Winter Session of the Assembly in December 2024. The Bill was then referred to the joint select committee for scrutiny. The committee, comprising 14 MLAs and seven MLCs, included prominent Opposition leaders such as Jitendra Awhad, Nana Patole, Jayant Patil, Vijay Waddettiwar, and Satej Bunty Patil.

“The report, with amendments to the original Bill, was agreed upon unanimously. There is not a single dissent note by any of the Opposition members,” a government source told The Hindu.

Mr. Bawankule, who headed the committee, said the panel met five times and reviewed 12,500 suggestions from the public. He said the suggestions of the Opposition members in the committee were also accepted.

‘Targets direct funding’

A senior Minister, who was part of the committee, clarified that the revised Bill targets direct funding for ‘left-wing groups’. “No political party or political organisations, no morchas, or protest marches will come under its ambit. The Bill has to do with direct funding for promoting ‘left-wing extremist organisations’,” the Minister said.

The Bill includes a provision to set up an ‘Advisory Board’ headed by a sitting or retired High Court Chief Justice, with District Magistrates or High Court government pleaders as its members, Mr. Bawankule said.

The Bill mandates that investigations under it be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent.

The Revenue Minister said the government aims to pass the Bill to prevent youth from being influenced by the Naxalite movement.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had reviewed the draft of the Bill on Monday, an official said.