Soni Satti
A Parliamentary Standing Committee scrutinizes the policies and performance of the Union Ministry of Law and Justice in the 107th Report on Demands for Grants 2021-22 about the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Committee comprising Bhupendra Yadav, Member of Parliament (MP), and 27 other MPs as its members made various recommendations in the report to the government including setting up regional Benches of the Supreme Court, performance appraisal, case pendency in courtrooms, Diversity in Judicial Appointments.
Some of the concerns raised by the Committee in the report are:
- Despite the increase in the vacancy position of High court judges from 37 percent to 39 percent, Approx.12 to 39 percent posts of Judges is vacant in the Supreme Court of India and High Courts and there is no improvement in the appointment of High Court Judges.
“… as against 419 vacancies in the High Courts, 208 recommendations were received by the Department and 211 recommendations are yet to be received from High Courts Collegiums,” the report said.
- Delay in finalizing The Memorandum of Procedure between the Executive and the Judiciary.
The Committee added, repeatedly it has been recommended to set up more Benches of the Supreme Court in different parts of the country to ensure that the poor avail justice.
“… it is not possible for the people living in far-flung and remote areas to come to the National Capital for seeking justice for various reasons”, the report stated further.
The Committee has now directed the Government to submit its outlook on the matter.
