October 12, 2001

‘7’

TWO YEARS ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GOVERNMENT

    The first two years of the Government witnessed hectic legislative activity. A total of 154 Central Acts were enacted by Parliament. Besides, six Constitution Amendment Acts were passed by Parliament. 11 Ordinances, 11 Constitution Orders, four President’s Regulations and 6,324 Statutory Rules, Orders and Notifications were promulgated by the Government. All these were effected to promote globalization of Indian economy and progressive and just socio-economic environment in the country as a measure of second generation economic reforms. A policy decision was also taken to amend the Constitution of India for extending the freeze on delimitation of Parliamentary and State Assembly Constituencies upto 2026. As part of the Constitution amendment, the Government has also decided to undertake readjustment and rationalisation of territorial constituencies in the States, without altering the number of seats allotted to each State in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and Legislative Assemblies, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Constituencies. A Constitution (Amendment) Act has already been passed which will be enforced after ratification by majority of States.

    By the Constitution (79th Amendment) Act, 1999, reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and nomination of Anglo-Indians in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures for a further period of ten years beyond January 25, 2000 has been passed and since enforced. Besides, the Constitution (85th Amendment) Bill, 1999 seeking reservation of one third of the seats in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies for women was introduced. The Election Laws (Amendment) Ordinance was promulgated in 1999 and later replaced by the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1999 to enable migrants from the valley of Jammu & Kashmir to exercise their right of Fenchize through postal ballot.

    The Legislative Department also made available all Central Acts of All-India application on Internet/Nicnet with the assistance of National Informtics Centre (NIC). All such principal Acts upto Budget Session of year 2001 are now available on the website http://Indiacode.nic.in

    In addition, CD ROMs of the Constitution of India and Election Laws were released by the Legislative Department.

    A milestone in personal laws reforms have been achieved with Marriage Laws amendment to provide interim relief in the matters of divorce cases by the courts within sixty days from serving the notices.

    Bar on ceiling of alimony amount to divorced women has been removed by an amendment in the Criminal Procedure Code.

    Eleven-Member National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution of India, set up under Chairmanship of Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah, a former Chief Justice of India, has issued 21 Consultation Papers for generating public debate in order to formulate its final recommendations. The Commission has been constituted to suggest measures for improving the lot of people without tampering with the basic features of the Constitution.

    In the area of alternative disputes resolution mechanism, Lok Adalats have started functioning effectively. During the period from October 1999 to June 2001 about 13.92 lakh persons received free legal aid and advice in law courts. During the same period, about 65,500 Lok Adalats were held and about 39.28 lakh cases were settled including 1,85,600 motor accident cases wherein compensation amounting to over Rs. 1128.96 crores was ordered to be paid up by the parties involved. Limits of free legal aids to poor for litigation in the Surpeme Court has been raised to Rs. 50,000 from the existing Rs. 25,000.

    The Notaries Rules, 1956 framed under the Notaries Act, have been amended to relax eligibility of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Women from 10 years to 7 years for appointment of Notary Public. Besides, rates for various notary work have been fixed.

    Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001 has been enacted to provide for social security cover to lawyers in distress.

    Steps have been taken to expedite filling of vacancies in High Courts and disposal of cases by them.

    As a result of a policy decision, a 100 per cent Centrally funded 1735 Fast Track Courts are being set up expedite disposal of a huge pending cases in subordinate courts.

    First ever National Judicial Commission, which submitted its report to the Government on November 11, 1999, is now under active consideration of the Government

    Competition Bill, 2001 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to constitute a Competition Commission of India and to give impetus to the second generation economic reforms by repealing the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 and the MRTP Commission thereunder.

    Company Law Settlement Scheme, 2000 announced to mop up additional revenues of Rs. 100 crores to free the corporate sector from accumulated prosecutions as a one time exception originally from June 1 to August 31, 2000 and extended upto September 30, proved a tremendous success by mopping up about Rs. 137 crores from the corporate sector.

    Additional Principal Bench of Company Law Board headed by Vice-Chairman at Chennai has been set up.

    Investor Education and Protection Fund has been operationalised to safeguard investors.

    Companies (Second Amendment) Bill, 2001 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to provide for a modern insolvency law in tune with global standards.

    E-corporate governance has been introduced in Department of Company Affairs with synergisation of the Companies Act with the Information Technology.