(a) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any
step to constitute a special commission or a committee to suggest
reform in judicial process for the speedy disposal of criminal
as well as civil cases;
(b) if so, the details thereof as on date; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (DR. M. VEERAPPA MOILY)
(a) to (c): The Government has, in principle, decided to set up a `National
Mission for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reforms` which, inter-alia, propose
to undertake strategic initiatives to reduce the period of pendency in the courts
from an average of 15 years to an average of three years by 2012. The detailed
action plan is to be formulated under various strategies by the National Mission
when set up, taking into account also ongoing activities. For speedy disposal of
cases Government have already implemented initiatives likes increase in strength
of Judges in Supreme Court and High Courts, amendment in Cr.P.C. to limit the
number of adjournments to three, enactment of Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008,
Computerisation of Courts, release of funds as per Thirteenth Finance Commission
recommendations for setting up of morning/evening/shift courts, strengthening
Alternative Dispute Resolution system, Lok Adalats etc.