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NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (AFP) - The Indian cabinet Saturday decided to amend a controversial ordinance to combat terrorism in the country.

Called the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), the legislation was due to be passed by parliament during its winter session which ended on November 23.

However, it met stiff resistance from opposition parties who have termed it a "black law" which gives sweeping powers to security agencies.

In a bid to appease the opposition, the government on Saturday made several changes to the orignial draft.

These include reducing its term of operation from five to three years and a provision for the government to present an annual report on its use in parliament.

The altered ordinance will be used by the government until the budget session of parliament which begins at the end of February when it will again try for its reintroduction in order to make it a law. 

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