New Delhi, April 29, 2005 (UNI)

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday adopted a bill to amend the Navy Act, 1957, in the wake of the changed Defence scenario in the country.

Moving the Navy (Amendment) Bill, 1997, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said amending the act is necessary as under the current provisions, for actions like leave without permission, either such defiance goes unpunished or court martial proceedings needed to be started which was extreme form of punishment.

A middle path would be devised under the amended act.

Moreover, ex-security personnel are not covered under the current act and so no disciplinary action could be taken for them.

The amendment would bring the redeployed ex-navy personnel under its purview.

With the NDA boycotting the Rajya Sabha proceedings and no other member seeking any other clarification on the Amendment Bill, it was unanimously passed by the Upper House.