Kerala to table draft law based on Hema Committee report before Cabinet in November: Govt tells HC
When the matter came up on Wednesday, the government pleader informed the court that public suggestions had been received and incorporated into a draft.
When the matter came up on Wednesday, the government pleader informed the court that public suggestions had been received and incorporated into a draft.
When the matter came up on Wednesday, the government pleader informed the court that public suggestions had been received and incorporated into a draft.
Kochi: The Kerala government informed the High Court on Wednesday that the draft legislation based on the Hema Committee report, aimed at addressing issues in the state’s entertainment industry, is likely to be placed before the Council of Ministers in the first week of November.
The government pleader made the submission before a special bench comprising Dr Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice C S Sudha, which is hearing a batch of petitions related to the Hema Committee report.
Earlier, the court had observed that the existing Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, 2013, does not adequately cover women who face harassment while seeking employment. The bench had suggested that a separate law could help fill this gap.
Following this, the Kerala Women’s Commission recommended a special legislation tailored for the entertainment industry. A Film Policy Conclave was held on August 2 and 3, where various stakeholders shared their inputs. The government later invited public feedback through the websites of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce.
When the matter came up on Wednesday, the government pleader informed the court that public suggestions had been received and incorporated into a draft, which will be presented before the Council of Ministers in November.
Recording the submission, the bench said, “It is submitted by the learned government pleader that the deliberations are ongoing for bringing out a draft legislation as suggested earlier, and the draft is likely to be placed before the Council of Ministers in the first week of November. We deem it appropriate to post these matters in the second week of November for ascertaining the outcome of the deliberations.”
The bench also sought an update on the investigation connected to the Hema Committee report and the related writ petitions. The government pleader said the investigation was complete and a statement would be filed at the next hearing.
The court indicated that petitions seeking further investigation could be closed once pleadings are completed. The matter has been posted for further hearing in the second week of November.
(With LiveLaw inputs.)