With almost all parties favouring the replacement of the collegium system of appointment of judges, the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014, is all set to be passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
But for paucity of time, the Bill would have been voted on by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday itself within hours of the government initiating the discussion. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad assured the House that the Centre had no intention of entering into a confrontation with the judiciary.
After the passage of the Bill, the government will move a Constitution Amendment Bill to accord constitutional status to the commission.
Mr. Prasad said the Commission was aimed at introducing a fair procedure for appointment of judges and the government was committed to an independent judiciary. “While independence of judiciary is important, the sanctity and supremacy of Parliament is equally important as it reflects aspirations of the people,” he said. The Bill was brought to the House after wide consultations with jurists and parties.
