Legislature, Judiciary and Executive have combined responsibility to abolish the outdated laws
“Judiciary has a strong and sensitive role to play in meeting unbounded aspirations of Indians in the 21st Century”
The role of every institution and its constitutional obligation is connected to the Ease of Living of the common citizens”
Guwahati: Stressing the need to build a strong, vibrant and modern legal system, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Judiciary can play a sensitive role in meeting the aspirations of the people in the 21st century and maintained that the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive have combined responsibility to abolish the outdated laws.
Addressing the gathering, on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Guwahati High Court at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati, Assam, the PM said here on Friday that it is a time to preserve the experience and also take the next step to bring in answerable and responsible changes for accomplishing new goals. “Guwahati High Court has its own heritage and identity”, the Prime Minister remarked as he noted that the scope of jurisdiction of the Guwahati High Court is the largest which includes the neighboring states of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Noting the importance of the Jayanti of Babasaheb today, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Dr Ambedakar. He said that the constitutional values of equality and cohesion are the foundation of modern India.
The Prime Minister noted that the aspirations of Indian citizens in the 21st century are unbounded and the Judiciary as a pillar of democracy has a strong and sensitive role to play in meeting these aspirations. The Constitution also expects us to build a strong, vibrant and modern legal system. Underlining the combined responsibility of the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive, the Prime Minister gave the example of the abolition of outdated laws. “We repealed thousands of archaic laws, reduced compliances”, he said. He informed that about 2000 such laws and more than 40 thousand compliances have been discontinued. This along with the decriminalization of many provisions of business has reduced the number of cases in the courts.
“Be it the government or the judiciary, the role of every institution and its constitutional obligation is connected to the Ease of Living of the common citizens”, the Prime Minister remarked. Highlighting that technology has emerged as a powerful tool in achieving Ease of Living, the Prime Minister said that the government is ensuring absolute utilization of technology in every possible sector.
Touching upon PM Swamitva Yojna, the Prime Minister highlighted that India has taken a huge lead when dealing with the issue of property rights which resulted in the burdening of the legal system of the country. He pointed out that even developed nations are dealing with the issue of unclear property rights. He informed that drone mapping of more than 1 lakh villages in the country and property card distribution to lakhs of citizens have already been accomplished, which will result in a decline in property-related cases and ease the lives of citizens.
The Prime Minister felt that there is unlimited scope for technology to modernize the justice delivery system in the country. Praising the work of the Supreme Court’s e-committee, the Prime Minister told the gathering about phase 3 of the e-court mission as announced in this years budget. He also mentioned global efforts to use AI in the judicial system to bring efficiency. “We should also try to increase efforts to improve the ease of justice for the common citizen through AI”, the Prime Minister said.
Talking about the Alternative Dispute Resolution System, the Prime Minister touched upon the rich local traditional alternative dispute resolution mechanism of the Northeast and suggested that these traditions should be taught in law schools.
The Prime Minister said that a critical part of ease of justice is correct knowledge and understanding among the citizens about the laws of the country as it enhances citizen trust in the country and its systems. Mr. Modi informed about the efforts to create a more accessible simple version of all the laws. “Effort is to draft laws in simple language and this approach will be greatly helpful for the courts of our country”, he said. The Prime Minister also mentioned the BHASHINI portal which aims to help every citizen to access the Internet in their own language. He said that the courts also benefit from this.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for the government and the judiciary to be sensitive towards those who have been incarcerated for petty crimes for years and do not have the resources or the money. He also took note of those whose families were not ready to accept them after the legal processes had been completed. The Prime Minister informed that this year’s Budget has a provision for financial assistance for such prisoners where financial aid will be handed over to the state by the center to help them in their release.
Background
The Guwahati High Court was established in 1948 and it served as the common court for the seven north-eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh until March 2013, when separate High Courts for the States of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura were created. The Gauhati High Court now has jurisdiction over the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, with its Principal Seat at Guwahati and three permanent Benches in Kohima (Nagaland), Aizawl (Mizoram) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh).
During the programme, the Prime Minister launched a mobile application ‘Assam Cop’ designed by Assam Police. The app will facilitate accused and vehicle searches from the database of the Crime and Criminal Network Tracking System (CCTNS) and the VAHAN national register.
7x5pjg85n7|100057829174tblpage|Content
7x5pjg85n8|000057829174|__vabriant|tblpage|Content|A6DCE93E-20AB-4797-B1B0-9B361CA08557