Question : NOTARY PUBLIC

(a)the criteria for awarding notary public licence;

(b)the details of number of State and Central Notaries licensed under the Notaries Act, State-wise;

(c)the number of applications received and disposed off for notary public licences during 2010-11 and 2011-12 State/UT-wise;

(d)the reasons for delay in taking appropriate decisions on the pending applications.

(e)the time by which all the applications are likely to be disposed off; and

(f)the details of quota for the advocates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories for the appointment of Notary Public in various States?

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a)The Notary Public license is awarded as per the provisions of the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956.

(b)A statement showing the Notaries appointed by Central Government in various States/U.Ts is placed at Annexure-I. The information relating to number of Notaries appointed by the State Governments is not maintained.

(c) A statement showing the number of applications received and disposed off for notary public licenses during 2010-11 and 2011- 12 State/UT-wise is placed at Annexure-II.

(d) Applications for appointment of Notary Public are pending for want of in-depth scrutiny as per provisions of the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956.

(e) No time limit can be indicated for disposal of applications. However, steps are being taken to dispose of the application expeditiously.

(f) There is no provision in the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956 providing for quota for the advocates belonging to SC/ST/OBC.