 bill no 73 of 2008 the treatment of attempt to suicide as a non-punishable offence bill, 2008 by shri ck chandrappan, mp a billto provide for not treating the attempt to commit suicide as a criminal offence and for matters connected therewithbe it enacted by parliament in the fifty-ninth year of the republic of india as follows:—1   (1) this act may be called the treatment of attempt to suicide as a non-punishable offence act, 2008short title, extent and commencement5(2) it extends to the whole of india(3) it shall come into force on such date as the central government may, by notification in the official gazette, appoint but which shall not be later than three months from the date of assent45 of 18602 section 309 of the indian penal code, 1860 shall be omittedomission of section 30910counselling centres3  the central government shall set up adequate number of counselling centreshaving such facilities and such number of qualified counsellors as may be prescribed, to provide counselling to the persons who attempt to commit suicide or have such tendenciespower to make rules4  the central government may, by notification in the official gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this act statement of objects and reasonsa person takes the extreme step of committing suicide because of deep frustration when one develops the feeling of total isolation and helplessness and the society as a whole is unsympathetic to his or her needs and problems it is a cumulative effect of psychological breakdownextreme poverty, unemployment, family discord, destitution, loss of dear relations and frustration from failure in examinations, love affairs, etc are some of the reasons behind persons committing suicide we are also facing incidents of suicide of farmers and peasants because of the unprecedented crises in the agricultural sector the helplessness created by economic crises which has consequences that affects the social status of individuals as they are not able to fulfil their social or family commitments which lead to frustration and ultimately prompts them to commit suicide it is a manifestation of a diseased condition of mind deserving of treatment, care and understanding rather than punishment therefore, attempt to commit suicide should not be treated as a crimeit is said that people who develop suicidal tendencies show signs of frustration and disappointment and they keep themselves aloof from the society and family if these symptoms are noticed then proper counselling could be provided to such persons to help them to deal with their problems thereby preventing them from taking the extreme step of suicidehence, the need is to create social awareness, and set up necessary institutions including counselling centres to provide help and counselling to such persons it is rather unfortunate for a modern society like us to treat people trying to commit suicide as criminals even the law commission of india, in its 210th report, have recommended that section 309 of the indian penal code relating to the offence of attempted suicide be omitted as it considered the provision inhumanthe bill seeks to achieve the above objectivenew delhi;ck chandrappannovember 6, 2008 financial memorandumclause 3 of the bill provides for setting up of necessary institutions including counselling centres by the central government to provide counselling to persons with suicidal tendencies the bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve expenditure  from the consolidated fund of india it is estimated that a recurring expenditure of rupees one hundred crore will be incurred per annuma non-recurring expenditure of about rupees five hundred crore is also likely to be incurred memorandum  regarding  delegated  legislationclause 4 of the bill empowers the central government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the billas the rules relate to matters of detail only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character annexure extracts from the indian penal code (act no 45 of 1860)      attempt to commit suicide309 attempt to commit suicide—whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both      ———— a billto provide for not treating the attempt to commit suicide as a criminal offence and for matters connected therewith————(shri ck chandrappan, mp)gmgipmrnd—4002ls(s5)—05122008