"Waiting for 22nd Law Commission to take up the issue", Rijiju on UCC implementation

New Delhi, Feb 3: The Centre has not taken up any decision as of now, on the implementation of UCC (Uniform Civil Code) in the country, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday (Feb 2). He was responding to a query regarding "whether govt has any plan to pass the Uniform Civil Code ( UCC ) Bill."

 

 

 

 

"As per the information received from the Law Commission, the matter related to the UCC might be taken up by the 22nd Law Commission for its consideration. Therefore, no decision on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code ( UCC ) has been taken as of now," said Rijiju. He further responded that the govt has requested the 21st Law Commission of India to undertake the examination of various issues relating UCC and to make recommendations thereon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the term of the 21st Law Commission ended on Aug 31, 2018, informed the Law Minister. On queries regarding "whether the govt is heading towards appointing its representative in the process of appointment of judges" and "whether the govt is considering to set up an independent regulator like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for appointment of judges," the Law Minister informed the Parliament that in its recent communication dated Jan 6, 2023, with the Supreme Court of India, the govt has emphasized the need to finalize the MoP in view of various judicial pronouncements and inter-alia suggested that the search cum evaluation committee in respect of appointment of judges in SC and Chief Justices of HC should consist of a representative nominated by the govt.

 

 

For the appointment of judges in the High Court, the Committee should consist a representative nominated by the Govt of India, and a representative of state govts, under the jurisdiction of the High Courts, as nominated by the Chief Ministers. It also has been proposed that for appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, the names recommended by the Chief Ministers can be received by the Search-cum-Evaluation Committee along with the names taken from Senior judges outside the Collegium and eligible candidates taken from the database as maintained by the proposed Secretariat.