New Delhi: Faced with criticism over misuse of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) by certain state governments, the Centre on October 21 decided to accord statutory powers to the POTA review committee for redressal of complaints by individuals booked under the anti-terrorism law.

An Ordinance to give teeth to the review committee would be promulgated by the President and a Bill to replace it would be moved by the government in the Winter Session of Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said while briefing reporters on the decisions taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet.

While the three-member Central review committee is headed by Justice Arun Saharya, states could also set up such committees to deal with complaints lodged by those charged with POTA, she said.

In case a petition seeking review of POTA charges was moved both before the Central and state review committee and there were conflicting findings, the decision of the Central committee would be binding on the Central, state and the investigation officials, she said describing the ordinance as a "major step" towards redressal of grievances.

PTI