Law Minister Calls for Reduction of Pendency in Courts

Law Minister Calls for Reduction of Pendency in Courts - Asks For Suggestions from all Chief Justices to Launch Campaign Mode Approach

The Union Law Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily has urged to the Chief Justice of India as well as to the Chief Justices of all the High Courts of the country to step up efforts towards reducing pendency in courts and improving justice delivery and legal reforms. 

Recalling a Vision Statement adapted by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Ministers and presented to the Chief Justice of India in October 2009, the Minister has said that the Statement contained a road map for improving justice delivery and legal reforms and steps to reduce pendency in courts from 15 to 3 years by 2012. He has said that though the target in this Vision Statement may not be reached, however, in view of the various measures initiated by the Government in recent times and the substantial funding made available, there is need to give greater momentum to the on-going efforts to reduce pendency. 

Nearly Rs. 1000/- crores is the revised cost estimate approved for the E courts projects, Rs. 5000/- crores has been provided under the 13th Finance Commission Grants for improving justice delivery, funds for infrastructure development was increased five fold in the current budget to Rs. 500 crores, and Rs. 150 crores has been provided for starting Gram Nyayalayas this year. The Government has also approved in principle, launching of the National Mission for Justice delivery and Legal reforms to realise and implement the objectives set out in the Vision Document and the operational details of the Mission are being finalised. 

The Minister has suggested the launching of a campaign mode approach to reduce pendency in 2011-12, amongst other measures. Suggestions from the 230th Report of the Law Commission which refers to the guidelines issued by the Apex Court for delivery of judgements within reasonable time, have also been included. The Minister has solicited the suggestions of the Chief Justices on the proposals for the campaign outlined, including State specific issues.