AMN / WEB DESK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said alternative dispute resolution mechanism needs to be encouraged at the local level in states to ensure speedy justice to the people. He also lauded the role of Lok Adalats in speedy disposal of cases.
The Prime Minister was addressing the gathering after virtually inaugurating the All India Conference of Law Ministers and Law Secretaries being held at Ekta nagar in Kevadiya, Gujarat.
Prime Minister said delay in justice is one of the major challenges before the country. He lauded the role of evening courts initiative in Gujarat.
Mr. Modi said it is high time for the states to review their existing laws as per the current need and repeal the old and irrelevant colonial laws.
He also mentioned that the Central government has repealed more than one and a half thousand archaic laws and reduced more than 32 thousand compliances in the last 8 years to put an end to the legal hurdles that obstruct the path of innovation and ease of living.
Recalling the joint meeting of Chief Justices of High Courts where the Prime Minister had raised the issue of undertrial prisoners, he urged the participants to work towards speedy trials for the disposal of such cases.
The Prime Minister further added that state governments should work with a humane approach regarding undertrial prisoners so that the judicial system moves forward with human ideals. He asserted that a sensitive justice system is essential for a capable nation and a harmonious society.
Stressing upon the ease of justice, Mr. Modi also advocated for the role of mother tongue in judicial proceedings. He added that language of the law should not be the hinderence in delivering justice. He also highlighted the initiatives such as e-courts mission, e-filing of cases, virtual hearing to reduce the pendency of the cases.
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju in his opening remarks, also stressed on the coordination between judiciary and executive to minimize the delay in justice delivery and ensure welfare of people.
The conference has been organized by the Ministry of Law and Justice which aims to provide a platform for policy makers to discuss issues related to the Indian legal and judicial system. Law Ministers and Secretaries of Law Department of States and Union Territories participated in this conference.
Through this conference, States and Union Territories will share their best practices as well as exchange new ideas.
In order to expedite the justice process, alternative dispute resolution mechanism such as arbitration will also be discussed in the conference.