'Govt. stands committed to working with judiciary': Manmohan Singh

Mumbai -  The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Saturday said the UPA Government stands committed to working with the judiciary to bring about improvements in the justice delivery system.

In his speech at the concluding function of the sesquicentennial celebrations of the Bombay High Court, Dr. Singh said the government has taken a number of initiatives in this regard.

"Our government stands committed to working with the judiciary to bring about improvements in the justice delivery system. We have taken a number of initiatives for this purpose. In the year 2011 we launched the national Mission for Justice Delivery with the twin objectives of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears and enhancing accountability," said Dr. Singh.

"A Constitution Amendment Bill for raising the age of retirement of Judges of the High Courts is now before the Parliament. A comprehensive proposal has been formulated for establishment of an All India Judicial Service," he added.

Dr. Singh said an inter ministerial group is examining what amendments in the negotiable instrument act are needed, along with other measures, to check increasing litigation arising out of cases of bouncing of cheques.

"A group under the Chairman of Law Commission is looking at the improvements that are required in court procedure and processes for a better criminal justice system," he added.

Dr. Singh further said all the three organs of government must work together to ensure social, economic and political justice for the citizens of the country.

"The judiciary has a very direct role in this task- that of upholding the Rule of Law and ensuring that the people of India enjoy their Fundamental Rights like the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, Right to Equality etc. The judicial institutions in our country face the unenviable task of delivering timely justice to millions of people in our country at affordable cost," said Dr. Singh.

"With the rapid economic growth that our country has seen in the last two decades or so, this task has become even more complex, more specialized and more challenging. I believe that our Judiciary has acquitted itself with distinction in shouldering its onerous responsibilities," he added.

Dr. Singh further said it is heartening to know that the overall pendency of cases in various courts of the country has declined by more than 6 lakh over the period July to December 2011.

"The Bombay High Court and its Subordinate Courts have contributed handsomely to this achievement, reducing their pendency by five lakh cases annually since the year 2010," he added.

Dr. Singh also used the occasion to pay tribute to the great men and women who have built the Bombay High Court into a magnificent and glorious institution.

"Each one of us can do no more than to use such occasions to rededicate ourselves to our cherished ideals. I cannot think of a more fitting paradigm for these celebrations," he said.

Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid, Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia, Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Attorney General G.E. Vahanavati, Goa Governor B.V. Wanchoo, and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar were also present on the occasion.