Will bring in legislation to define 'consultation' in

The government today said it will bring in an amendment to the Constitution to define 'consultation' after discussing with various stakeholders, especially in view of the issue cropping up during the process of appointment of judges.

Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary assured TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray -- who on February 2, 2018 had introduced the private member bill to amend Article 366 of the Constitution to define the word 'consultation' -- that the matter will be taken up at an appropriate time.

The word 'consultation' could not be defined under Article 366 when the Constitution was enacted and therefore there are many judicial pronouncements, he said.

However, consultation has been provided for appointment of judges of high court and the Supreme Court and even for transfer of judges and appointment of additional judges under Articles 124, 217 and 270, he said.

Noting that it is a very important bill, the minister said it "requires discussion with various stakeholders who are concerned about it. It is required to be discussed with all eminent persons.

"Thereafter we can come with a particular legislation. At this stage, I request my learned member to withdraw the bill. I assure him certainly at appropriate time, we will discuss with various stakeholders and thereafter we will come to a particular opinion and come with a legislation."
The TMC leader said, "It is a simple bill but has got a very significant impact on the present situation prevailing in the judiciary ."