Patna,(BiharTimes): Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday welcomed the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2013, but insisted on a political dialogue with states before finalising it.

Talking to the media after the cabinet meeting in Patna he said it was a welcome step which was desired since long.

However, he said if the UPA is serious and does not just want it to be an election-eve exercise it should hold political dialogue with the states before giving it shape of a law. The chief minister added that consultation at executive level conducted by the Union Home Secretary with states is not enough.

Nitish said talks about such a legislation have been going on for several years and many drafts were prepared, but nothing concrete came out. Now that the Bill has been cleared by the Union Cabinet for introduction in Parliament, it should be welcomed.

The Bihar chief minister felt that if any state fails to stop communal violence, the Centre should declare it as a “Disturbed Area” and intervene directly. Besides, the victims should be given adequate compensation.

Incidentally, Janata Dal (United)’s former ally, the BJP, has strongly opposed the Bill. Its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi described it as “recipe for disaster.”