Question : ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT

(a) whether the Government proposes amendment to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996;

(b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof;

(c) whether a need is, felt to simplify litigation process and make more effective Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the country in view of the `Make in India` vision;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken thereon; and

(e) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to mould the relevant laws to facilitate Make in India` vision?

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI D. V. SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) & (b) The Law Commission of India, in its 246th Report has made recommendations for amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which are under examination.

(c), (d) & (e) With a view to facilitate the `Make in India` campaign it is imperative that enforcement of business contracts is done in a time bound manner and civil disputes relating to them are settled expeditiously. The Government has exhorted that the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as well as information and communication technology methods may be utilized more effectively to tackle pendency and backlog of cases in the judicial system.