Central government wants independent judiciary: Prasad

Stressing that the Narendra Modi government wants an "independent judiciary" in India, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said that weaker communities must have representation in the country's judiciary.

"This government is totally dedicated to independent judiciary. We don't wish to have any veto (power) on judiciary," the minister said while replying to a debate under an attention calling motion in the Rajya Sabha on appointments of judges in the Supreme Court and high courts.

"I want to make it very clear with full authority of the government and the Prime Minister that we don't wish to have any veto over the judiciary," he added.

Prasad said that right to reframe Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts has been given to them by the apex court.

"The Supreme Court had said that the present collegium needs improvement and it had said please take suggestions on it from the public," he said.

"MoP needs improvement so that it inspires more confidence," the minister said, adding that the government was doing everything possible to make it good.

Prasad also agreed to suggestions of the members, cutting from across party lines, that weaker sections of the society must have some representation in judiciary as they tend to get discriminated against.

"There must be a constant endeavour to have judges from these communities," the minister added.

He also said that there was no impasse between the government and the judiciary over appointment of judges.

"I want to announce that there is no impasse (on the issue)," he said.

--IANS

sk/vd