New Law Minister Kiren Rijiju took charge only in July 2021. But his efforts and sincere works have come under-appreciation from members of opposition parties. The government is giving a boost to the Online Dispute Redress mechanism and the 'Justice at the door steps' programme.
New Delhi: The central government is giving a mega push to 'Justice at the door-steps' to help common people and litigants, especially in the rural areas.
Stating this in Lok Sabha on Friday, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "We are taking very important steps with the concept of the `Justice at the door-steps', through establishment of mobile courts, Lok Adalats and hearing cases on the spot".
He further said: "I am going to Uttarakhand to ensure that the hearing in the rural areas, especially is conducted in a way where people really do not have to struggle to get the basic minimum justice."
Mr Rijiju admitted that in the lower judiciary, especially during the pandemic, there was more admission of cases than disposal per se.
The idea of 'Justice at the door steps' was conceived two years ago at a judicial conference where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the issue of the Constitutional Right to Justice for the poor. It chiefly focuses on connectivity and a faster justice delivery system. The Minister said the trends are still encouraging.
"There are certain obstacles and bottlenecks with regard to connectivity, services which are available, especially in the rural areas," he said, adding that he has already discussed this with the Chief Justice of India and also with some of the Chief Justices of High Courts.
Efforts are on to "provide maximum support to the lower Judiciary" because more than 90 per cent of the pending cases are in the lower judiciary, Mr Rijiju said.
During the proceedings, Biju Janata Dal member Bhartruhari Mahtab congratulated the new Law Minister for bringing some changes in the legal system in the country.
Answering queries, the Minister said the NITI Aayog has also mentioned that there is a need to create awareness on a large scale across the country to ensure that the Online Dispute Redress mechanism becomes effective.
Rijiju further said most of the platforms for ODR are initiated by the private parties and the state governments or even the High Courts.
"They will definitely take proactive steps to support and encourage them," he said, adding, however, that the centre cannot issue any directive to the states and the High Courts on this.
