(a) whether the Government has permitted the use of local language as the language of proceedings in Gujarat High Court and District Courts;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (c): As regards language of proceedings in the High Courts, Clause (2) of the Article 348 of the Constitution states that notwithstanding anything in sub-clause (a) of clause (1), the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of the Hindi Language, or any other language used for any official purposes of the State, in proceedings in the High Court having its principal seat in that State. The Cabinet Committee’s decision dated 21.05.1965 has stipulated that consent of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India be obtained on any proposal relating to use of a language other than English in the High Court. No such proposal is before the Government in respect of Gujarat High Court.
Under Article 235 of the Constitution of India, the administrative control over the district and subordinate judiciary in the States vest with the concerned High Court. As regards, use of Hindi or regional language in lower courts, it is decided by the High Court and State Government concerned in consultation with each other.
******