(a) whether a number of laws which were enacted by Britishers
are still being enforced in the country;
(b) the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) the number of such laws in force at present, which were enacted
by the Britishers but have not been amended till now;
(d) whether people are harassed by the bureaucracy through such obsolete laws;
(e) the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(f) the details of reformative steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): Review of all laws, including those enacted during the British era,
with a view to bring them in harmony with the current economic, social and
political situation in the country is a continuous process. This task is
undertaken by different nodal Ministries/Departments of the Central Government
administering the respective laws allocated to them. The Law Commission of India
from time to time examines and makes recommendations to the Central Government on
laws of public importance.
(c): As the laws enacted by the Britishers, which are still in force have been adapted,
modified or amended to make them in conformity with the Constitution of India, it is not
correct to state that there are British laws which are in force in India, but have not
been amended till now.
(d) No, Madam.
(e) Does not arise.
(f) The Law Commission of India, constituted by the Government from time to time,
identifies the taws which would not be needed or has lost relevance that could be
repealed The Commission also identifies the laws which need amendments and this
mechanism takes care of legislative reforms in the country However, in 1998 the
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances of the Central Government
had set up a Committee on Review of Administrative Laws with the objective of
examining the need of amendments in and repeal of laws, among others.
The Committee recommended amendments to various laws and rules, review of Acts
and repeal of dysfunctional or irrelevant laws.