The government has called for an all-party meet to discuss the anti-rape law bill on March 18. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today expressed confidence that the bill, which seeks to make punishment for crime against women more stringent, will be passed in the Budget session.

Following differences in the Cabinet over it, the bill was today referred to a Group of Ministers for further consultations. Shinde said that the bill will be cleared by Thursday, when the Cabinet meets again.

"The Group of Ministers have been appointed and the meetings will take place. By Thursday, it will be cleared... Not more than this," Shinde told reporters outside Parliament. To a question whether he was confident that the bill will be passed in this session itself, the Home Minister responded saying " Yes...I am very confident".