Govt working on doubling judges to people ratio to 30 per mln

To expedite disposal of cases in courts, government is working on doubling the ratio of judges to people from 14 per million to 30 per million in the next five years.
"Through Chief Justices Conference we have planned to increase this number from 14 to 30 (per million) in the next five years. We are requesting the Finance Commission to give some extra money to be able to that," Law Minister Kapil Sibal said at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014 today.
He was responding to concerns raised by a non-resident Indian over slow disposal of cases in courts.
Sibal said in the developed world there are minimum 50 judges per million people and in some case this number is 100.

"India is a litigious country and 14-15 judges appointed cannot serve a million people. Administration of justice is a state subject. It is not a central subject. State governments are the ones that actually appoint judges. In the order of priorities in the state government, the appointment of larger number of judges is not a priority," Sibal said.
The minister on the occasion rejected a proposal by UK-based NRI Karan Bilimoria, who is also a member of House of Lords, to allow foreign lawyers to practice in India.

"For years I have been asking India why can't have foreign lawyers practice in India. The Minister said there is shortage of judges, there are million lawyers but why a foreign lawyers can't practice in India. It is only going to help bring in more foreign investments," Bilimoria said.

Sibal said the government can think of it if UK allows Indian lawyers to practice there.
"You offer some reciprocity and we will think about it," Sibal said.