By Admin 
The Rajasthan government is going to introduce a more stringent version of the Religion Conversion Prohibition Bill, 2025 against the Rajasthan Law in the upcoming assembly session. Its main objective is to ban illegal conversion done in force, fraud or fraudulent ways.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa and Law Minister Jogaram Patel said that there was no special law to deal with illegal conversion in the state, and that is why a new draft has been prepared.
Old draft will be returned
The bill introduced in the last session will now be withdrawn and a new draft with strict provisions will be introduced in the assembly. The new draft was approved in a cabinet meeting held on Sunday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
Patel said that the new bill prevents any person or organization from conversion in a trick, force or fraudulent manner. It has also been clarified that marriages for the purpose of conversion will be invalid.
Punishment and fine
Crime will be cognizable and non-bailable in the new bill.
- In general cases imprisonment for 7 to 14 years and fined at least Rs 5 lakh.
- 10 to 20 years in jails related to minors, women, handicapped and scheduled castes/tribes and minimum fine of 10 lakhs.
- Life imprisonment for 20 years and a fine of Rs 25 lakh in collective conversion.
- 10 to 20 years in jail and 20 lakh fine in conversion from foreign or unauthorized money.
- Life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30 lakh for 20 years in cases related to force or human trafficking.
- Frequent violations of law and fined Rs 50 lakh for those who repeatedly violate the law.
- Also, properties used in illegal conversion can be confiscated or demolished after investigation, and registration of related institutions can be canceled.
Decision on Prime Minister Surya Ghar Electricity Scheme
The cabinet also approved the implementation of Prime Minister Surya Ghar Electricity Scheme. Under this scheme, domestic consumers registered under the Chief Minister Free Power Scheme will get 150 units of electricity per month from solar energy.
The state government will apply 1.1 kW rooftop solar panel for 27 lakh registered families for free. It will get a subsidy of Rs 33,000 from the central government and Rs 17,000 from the state government.
Bairwa said that about 1.04 crore families will be benefited from this scheme and 3,000 MW additional solar energy capacity will be generated in the state.
Education and improvement in cities
The government decided to start recruitment of contractual posts in 374 colleges run by Rajasthan College Education Committee. Under this, 4,724 teaching and non-teaching posts will be appointed.
The cabinet also approved amendment to ‘sewerage and waste water policy, 2016’ to develop a broader sewerage system in all urban areas. The revised policy will connect every house with a systematic sewerage system according to the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission.