Posted on Sun , 3 Feb '13

President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the ordinance on sexual assault which was passed by the union cabinet on Feb 01. Earlier, women's rights groups had urged the President not to sign the ordinance, saying the cabinet had selectively accepted the recommendations of the Justice JS Verma commission, in its ordinance. With an aim to curb crimes against women, the union cabinet issued an ordinance that implements tougher jail terms for sexual offenders. With President Mukherjee signing the ordinance, it comes into effect immediately. The Parliament now has to pass the ordinance within six months. The Budget Session of Parliament starts on February 21.