Digital India to Support Judiciary: PM Narendra Modi
Joint Conference of Chief Ministers of States and Chief Justices of High Courts
Narendra Modi stressed the need to prepare for emerging areas of litigation such as maritime law and cyber crime.
The Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi said Sunday that under the Digital India programme, technology should be deployed to bring about a qualititative change in the Judiciary.
Modi was addressing in Delhi a joint conference of chief ministers of states and chief justices of High Courts.
He stressed that quality manpower was required for the Judiciary. He was as concerned about the Human Resource, as he was about the physical infrastructure, Modi added.
He said the Judiciary should be both “Sashakt” and “Samarth” – empowered and capable – to play its “divine role” of ensuring the rule of law, and delivering justice to the common man.
[ Also Read: How Indian Rulers Abuse Human Rights in the Digital Space ]
Modi also said good infrastructure for the Judiciary was a priority for the Government, and an amount of Rs. 9,749 crore (about $1.5 billion USD) had been earmarked for strengthening the Judiciary under the 14th Finance Commission.
Without going into the details of pendency in litigation and corruption in the Judiciary, the Prime Minister hoped that this forum would suggest some fresh approaches to deal with these issues.
He said Lok Adalats were an effective way of dispensing justice for the common man, and this mechanism should be strengthened further.
[ Why Insecurity Persists in India’s Food Security Act ]
Similarly, he stressed the importance of “Family Courts.” He also called for a comprehensive review of the system of Government-appointed Tribunals to assess their efficacy and effectiveness.
The Prime Minister said laws are sometimes not drafted well, and therefore lead to multiple interpretations. He said there should be minimum grey areas, and therefore, drafting of laws requires special attention. He said he is committed to removal of obsolete laws.
He stressed the need to prepare for emerging areas of litigation such as maritime law and cyber crime. Modi said acquaintance with forensic science is now a must for those associated with the legal profession.
The Chief Justice of India, H.L. Dattu, and the Union Minister for Law and Justice, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, were present on the occasion.
Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau
