(a) whether there are highest number of holidays in the judiciary in comparison to the executive and legislature and if so, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether reducing the number of holidays, having courts work on Sundays, filling up all the vacancies of Judges at a fast rate and restricting the numbers of hearings could be helpful for early disposal of all the pending cases; and
(c) if so, the details of the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE & ELELCTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): Working days/hours and duration of vacations in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts are regulated by Rules framed by the respective Court. The working days as well as working hours of the District/Subordinate Courts are regulated by the respective High Court.
Disposal of cases pending in courts is within the domain of judiciary. The Government has adopted a co-ordinated approach to assist judiciary for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial systems, which, inter-alia, involves better infrastructure for courts including computerisation, increase in strength of judicial officers/judges, policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation and emphasis on human resource development.
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Filling up of vacancies of Judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts is a continuous and collaborative process of the Judiciary and Executive involving various Constitutional Authorities. The subject matter relating to filling up of vacancies in the District and Subordinate Courts falls within the domain of the High Courts and the State Governments concerned. The Central Government has no role in the appointment of Subordinate Judiciary.