A Parliamentary panel is now holding discussions with various stake holders on the Prevention of Torture Bill. The panel has been asked to submit its report to the Rajya Sabha by the first week of Winter Session. The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha. The panel headed by Mr. Ashwini Kumar was constituted after the Rajya Sabha passed a resolution to this effect in the Monsoon Session of Parliament following difference of opinion on the definition of torture. Briefing reporters, the Head of the panel, Mr. Ashwini Kumar said in New Delhi that the Select Committee held so far two meetings and listened to the views of Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and several other officials. He said, the Committee has approached NGOs, Human Rights Activists, Jurists, Former Civil Servants and representatives of government to share their perception on the contents of the Bill with the Committee. The panel chief said the objective of the Bill is to provide punishment for torture inflicted by public servants and for matters connected with it. Mr. Ashwini Kumar asserted that the Bill is an enabling legislation to ratify the UN Convention against Torture and Other Inhuman Acts. India has signed the UN convention to this effect in 1997.