New Delhi, August 2: Amid criticism from Opposition parties, theĀ Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019 (UAPA), that empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists, was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The opposition parties had said it does not clearly state as to how a person would be labelled a terrorist and that the provision could be misused. Amid high-voltage drama, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on July 24Ā by a voice vote. The amendment to Schedule 4 of the UAPA will allow the NIA to designate an individual suspected to have terror links as a terrorist. As of now, only organisations are designated as 'terrorist organisations'. UAPA Bill That Gives Powers to NIA to Designate an Individual With Terror Links as 'Terrorist' Passed by Lok Sabha.

The BillĀ will not be referred to the standing committee after 104 members voted in the negative and 85 in the affirmative. When the UAPA bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last month, Home Minister Amit Shah had asserted that tough laws were required to end terrorism and the Bill does not encroach on powers of states. Shah had proposed several amendments to the Bill. ShahĀ said that provision in UAPA (amendment) bill to designate a person suspected to have terror links as terrorist is necessary to root out terror.

What is The UAPA Bill

TheĀ Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2019 Bill or theĀ UAPA Bill prevents unlawful activities that may cause harm to the integrity and sovereignty of the government. The BillĀ gives theĀ government the authority to designate individuals as terrorists. The Bill has was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha just a week after it was passed by the Lok Sabha on July 24. Now that the Bill is passed in both the houses of the Parliament, it will now give more power to the NIA in dealing with terror cases, government sources have maintained.

The Congress had brought in UAPA under the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In July, the Home Minister had said that tough laws were required to put an end to terrorism, adding that the Bill does not encroach on powers of states.Ā  He had assured the House that the BJP led government will never misuse its provisions.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2019 01:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).