The Bill was sent to the Legislative Council for approval three months ago, but the Council is yet to take a decision on it. The state government now plans to introduce the Bill in the Assembly again to turn it into an Act.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma said since the legislation was pending with the Upper House for over three months now, the government intends to move for a debate in the Assembly again and pass the Bill.

The SP members protested the move and said it was an attempt to interfere in the working of the Upper House. Hukum Singh of the BJP also supported the SP and said the Upper House should be allowed to take its time.

Later, the SP members staged a walkout. Reacting to the action, Verma said he didn’t understand why some members were worried about the proposed Act, which targets organised crime and “not any particular caste or religion”.

The Assembly had passed the Bill on November 5, 2007, and sent it to the Legislative Council the next day for approval. The council, where the ruling BSP is in a minority, has sent the Bill to a select committee twice. Designed on the lines of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, the UPCOCA aims to arm the state with additional powers to deal with organised crime.

Chief Minister Mayawati, while introducing the Bill on October 31, 2007, had said the proposed legislation would primarily deal with contract killers, kidnappers, gun-toting contractors, hawala traders, enemies of economic structure, drug traffickers and the liquor mafia. The Bill was passed on November 5 by a voice vote. However, in the Legislative Council where the ruling BSP is in minority, the Bill could not be passed due to strong opposition from the Samajwadi Party. The Bill was sent to the Legislative Council’s select committee on November 6 for consideration.