Moily clarifies on reservations in Judiciary

Minister of Law and Justice Veerappa Moily addressed the Lok Sabha on ‘Reservation in Judges Posts’ and said, “The appointment concerning Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court’s made under Article 124 and 217 of the Constitution of India does not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons."

Minister of Law and Justice Veerappa Moily addressed the Lok Sabha on ‘Reservation in Judges Posts’ and said, “The appointment concerning Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court’s made under Article 124 and 217 of the Constitution of India does not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons. The State Governments frame rules in consultation with the High Court for recruitment of persons to Subordinate judiciary, in exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 read with Article 233 and 234 of the Constitution. Therefore, the service conditions, appointment, promotion, reservations, etc. of judicial officers of the District / Subordinate Courts are concern of the respective State Governments.”

On the issue of ‘Grants for Evening Courts’, Moily said, “All 87 Evening Courts were reported to be functional in Gujarat as on May 5, 2010. The Central Government has not received any proposal in the recent past for central assistance by the State Government. An earlier proposal from the State Government for central assistance was not agreed to as there was no such scheme under which central assistance could be provided to the States for Evening Courts.” 

He further added, “That in acceptance of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission, grants have been provided for the State Governments, including for the State of Gujarat, for operation of Morning / Evening / Shift Courts. The amount allocated for Gujarat for this purpose is Rs. 161.17 crore for the five year period 2010-11.