New Delhi:The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2014, which seeks to change the way judges are appointed in India, was moved in Rajya Sabha on today, the last day of the current Parliament session, and a day after it passed the Lok Sabha test.
The landmark bill was passed by the Lower House on Wednesday after the government climbed down on a key provision that indirectly gave power to the law minister to veto any selection of judges
After the bill becomes law, the government will have a say in the appointment of Supreme Court and high court judges after 21 years. Once the commission is formed, 266 vacancies for judges in 24 high courts are likely to be filled expeditiously. The Supreme Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 31, also has one vacancy.
The appointment of new judges is also expected to speed up the backlog of legal cases in courts across the country. The commission can be set up only after half the state assemblies ratify the bill passed by Parliament.
The original bill said that if the President does not approve and returns any name to the commission for reconsideration, the panel can recommend the name again only if there is unanimity among its members. In other words, if any one member disagrees, the particular name cannot be recommended again to the President.
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday moved an official amendment that said a recommendation can be returned to the President if at least five members agreed on the name.
It was passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha and the related 99th Constitution amendment bill was passed by 367-0 votes in its favour. The second bill was quickly taken up in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday itself.
Bureau Report
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