A Group of Ministers, GoM have cleared the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill aiming at stringent punishment for sexual offences against women.

It has recommended lowering the age of consent for sex from 18 years to 16 years whereas stalking and voyerism have been recommended to be made non-bailable offences.

The GoM yesterday held a second round of meeting to evolve a consensus on certain provisions of the bill. The Union Cabinet had referred the Bill on Tuesday to the GoM headed by Finance Minister P.Chidambaram.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi after the GoM meeting, Communication and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said that the Group of Ministers have reached a consensus over the bill.