New Delhi, June 12: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that it remains a priority on the government’s agenda. Meghwal, who assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice, addressed several critical issues facing his ministry.
Meghwal emphasized the government’s determination to resolve the pending finalization of the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), a key document concerning the appointment, elevation, and transfer of High Court and Supreme Court judges. He rejected suggestions of a conflict between the executive and judiciary, expressing confidence that a solution would be reached.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing judicial vacancies, Meghwal stated that filling vacancies in the Supreme Court, high courts, and subordinate courts would be prioritized. Currently, over five crore cases are pending across various courts in India, with vacancies being a significant contributing factor. As of June 1, the Supreme Court has two vacancies, while high courts have 345 vacancies against a sanctioned strength of 1,114.
Meghwal also touched upon the issue of simultaneous polls, mentioning that a committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind had submitted its report, with further details to be disclosed later. The Law Commission is also working on the subject, although its progress was impacted by the movement of its chairperson, Justice (Retd.) Ritu Raj Awasthi, to the Lokpal.
The finalization of the MoP remains a critical challenge. The government’s attempt to replace the Collegium system with a more transparent mechanism through the Constitution (99th Amendment) Act, 2014, and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, 2014, was nullified by the Supreme Court in October 2015, restoring the Collegium system. The Supreme Court had directed the government to finalize the MoP in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, based on the unanimous view of the Collegium comprising the four senior-most judges. However, despite extensive consultations, the MoP’s finalization is still pending.
Addressing these challenges, Meghwal aims to streamline judicial appointments and reduce case pendency, ensuring a more efficient and transparent judicial system in India.
