No proposal to reintroduce NJAC: Law Minister Kiren Rijiju in Parliament

There is no proposal by the Central government to re-introduce National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) for appointment of judges to the High Courts and the Supreme Court, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday..The Law Minister was replying to a question put by Indian National Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI leader John Brittas on whether government proposes to reintroduce the NJAC with suitable modifications?"No Sir, at present there is no such proposal," the reply stated..With respect to questions about appointment of judges and collegium system, the Law Minister said, "Appointment of the judges of the Constitutional courts is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the executive and the judiciary. It requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities both at state and central level. Government appoints only those persons as judges of High Courts who are recommended by Supreme Court collegium.".As on December 5, there is one proposal for appointment of a Supreme Court judge and eight proposals for appointment of High Courts judges as recommended by the collegium which are pending with the government, he added.Further Law Minister said there are eleven proposals of transfer of High Court Judges, one proposal of transfer of a Chief Justice and one proposal of appointment of Chief Justice of a High Court recommended by the Collegium which are under consideration of the government. "Supreme Court while hearing a court case has expressed its opinion over delay in notifying the names of judges recommended by the collegium," reply said..In last five years, a total of 256 proposals have been remitted by the government to the High Courts on the advice of the Supreme Court Collegium, the Law Minister's response further said.Responding to a question on the number of vacancies as on date in the Supreme Court and High Courts, Law Minister Rijiju replied,"As on December 5, 2022, against the sanctioned strength of 34 Judges, 27 judges are working in the Supreme Court leaving 7 vacancies. In the High Courts, against the sanctioned strength of 1,108, there are 778 Judges are working leaving 330 vacancies.".[Read Reply]