Enactment of National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill on Top Priority, Says Union Law Minister

Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Law & Justice had interaction with media persons in New Delhi today. The Secretaries of Department of Legal Affairs, Legislative Department and Department of Justice were also present. In a nutshell, the Minster of Law & Justice focused on the following core areas to be taken and placed in the ensuing budget Session after taking comments from the concerned Ministries. 

The Minister said the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill was unanimously passed in the Parliament. At least 50% of the States had to ratify the Bill. Four States have already ratified and it is learnt that Gujarat also has ratified. He said that he has spoken to Chief Ministers and Secretaries of States to speed up the ratification process. 

Enumerating his priority areas, he, further, said that National Litigation Policy is being formulated and amendments in Motor Vehicles Act and Negotiable Instruments Act, Arbitration and Conciliation Acts are being taken up. The National Litigation Policy aims to avoid unnecessary litigations by Government departments, Government bodies and joint affidavits before the Courts etc. 

Reduction of pendency in cases is his priority. An alternative dispute redressal mechanism will speed up the disposal of cases. High Courts are being requested to encourage judicial officers to resolve civil disputes through mediation and reconciliation. Government will give full support in 13th Finance Commission to provide infrastructure for setting up Mediation Centres, he said. 

The Minister, further, said that his Ministry is planning to set up commercial pision in the Courts after receiving reports from Law Commission. Increasing the strength of Judges in various High Courts from 906 to 1112 is also government’s priority for which Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has given his approval. 

Making the mention of North-Eastern States, he said that separate High Courts for North Eastern States of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura have been established and for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram would be taken up. Implementation of Phase I of the e-courts is almost complete at a cost of Rs.935 crores and Phase-II of e-courts has been planned at a cost of Rs.2765 crores, he said. 

Sh. Sadananda Gowda, further, said that increasing the retirement age of Judges of High Courts from 62 to 65 is under consideration. Rising of pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi Courts from 20 lakhs to Rs.2.00 (Two crores) will be taken up after Parliamentary Standing Committee submits its report, the Minister said. 

Repeal of Obsolete and Redundant Laws is being given the top priority. Repeal of 36 Original Acts, 287 Amendments Act and 892 Appropriation Acts have been identified so far and further identification of such laws are under process for repeal, he said. 

Replacement Bills for Coal Mines (Special Provision Ordinance) and Textiles Undertakings (Nationalization) Laws are also proposed to be taken up in the ensuing winter session of Parliament, he said.