The government today said stringent provisions in the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance on sexual violence against women will have a deterrent effect on potential criminals until a new law is enacted by Parliament. Speaking to newsmen in New Delhi, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said, the ordinance is just a beginning and adequate amendment in the criminal law will be brought in soon after discussions in Parliament. He said, there was a strong case to promulgate an ordinance in view of public demand for immediate amendment to criminal laws relating to crimes against women.

Mr. Chidambaram also said, no recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee has been rejected. He maintained that some of the recommendations of the panel have not been incorporated in the ordinance because of divergence of opinion on the issues which requires more consultations and deliberations.

Saying that sexual violence against women is a grave issue, the Finance Minister appealed to everyone to deal with it with utmost seriousness and sensitivity.He said the bill to replace the ordinance will reflect the broadest possible consensus on the imperative and urgent need to have an effective law to protect women and punish the guilty.

In reply to a question, Mr. Chidambaram said, procedural changes effected through ordinance will help in quicker completion of the Delhi gangrape case.

Asked about demands for amending the Juvenile Justice Act to bring down the age limit of an offender, the minister said a consensus would have to be arrived at on it and that would require a separate bill. He said, the government has initiated time-bound action plan to strengthen the police and administration to combat sexual crimes against women. More women will be recruited to the police force and gender sensitization of the Police force is on the anvil. He said, strict disciplinary action will be taken against any official indulging in gender bias.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari asked political parties to rise above poilitical considerations and support the government's move to provide stringent punishments for crime against women.

A fast-track court in New Delhi will begin hearing today charges against five accused in the December 16 gangrape case. The charges are framed on various counts including conspiracy to abduct the 23-year-old girl and sexually assault and murder her. A fresh offence under section 366 of the Indian Penal Code was added by the court against them. The court also charged them with murder of the paramedic girl under section 302 (murder) of the IPC which entails the maximum punishment of death penalty.

The sixth accused has been declared minor by the Juvenile Justice Board, which will try him.