Union Law Minister Meghwal says the Uniform Civil Code is part of the government’s agenda

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on June 11 said that implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is part of the Narendra Modi government’s agenda.

Taking up the post, a portfolio he also held in the earlier government, Mr. Meghwal rejected the allegation of conflict between the executive and the judiciary and expressed hope that a solution to the Memorandum Procedure (MoP) issue would be found.

The MoP refers to the procedure for the appointment, elevation and transfer of judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court, which is yet to be finalized due to differences between the executive and the judiciary.

“I believe that we will definitely find a solution to this problem,” Mr. Meghwal told reporters after taking up his duties at the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Answering a question about the implementation of the UCC, he said that it was part of the government’s program.

On the issue of ‘One Nation Election’, Mr. Meghwal said that a committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind had submitted its report and the Law Commission was also working on the issue.

Mr. Meghwal also signed the National Litigation Policy document soon after assuming duties. The policy document, which is part of the Narendra Modi government’s 100-day 3.0 agenda, will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in the coming days.

The Law Minister said a key priority of his ministry would be faster access to justice in cases pending before the Supreme Court, High Courts, lower courts, tribunals and consumer courts.

The National Litigation Policy has been developed and amended over several years by successive governments and aims to set out principles for the responsible conduct of disputes. The national litigation policy has been part of the BJP’s manifesto since 2014.

“All the stakeholders involved in litigation have a certain comfort factor… All the stakeholders including litigants, lawyers and others are part of it… The ministry has finalized the policy document,” Mr. Meghwal said.