NAGPUR, Dec. 11 -- The Legislative council on Wednesday passed the amendment bill to the Maharashtra Prevention of Begging Act 1959, which mandates that words such as "leprosy" and "leper" be deleted from its various clauses, adhering to the Supreme Court ruling of May this year, each time there is a reference to beggars. It also stems from the fact that since leprosy has largely been eradicated from the country, the use of the word carelessly in connection with beggars is derogatory. The government has also assured that it will make provisions for stringent implementation of the law and take steps to rehabilitate beggars. The bill was passed amid an uproar in the house with opposition MLAs looking for assurance from the government over the steps for the rehabilitation of beggars. The bill proposed amendments to sections 9 and 26 of the Act to bring changes as directed by the SC. The state government had appointed a committee from the law and judiciary department to implement the ruling effectively. The committee suggested that references of lepers and persons cured from leprosy be deleted. "SC, in its May 7 order while hearing the writ petition filed by Federation of Leprosy Organisation and others, had directed that references to leprosy and lepers be deleted. The amendment is in accordance with the SC directives," the statement of the bill stated. Earlier, Opposition members raised objections to some provisions and asked the government to also discuss the steps being taken to rehabilitate beggars. They also pointed to the contradictions in the wording, purpose and explanation of the bill. In response, the government has convened a special meeting in the council chairman's chamber on December 13 to reconsider the provisions. The meeting is expected to discuss the discrepancies in the bill and consider suggestions by the members....