Parliament Diary

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was taken up for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha. The Bill corrects a drafting error made in a previous 2014 Amendment and provides punishment with retrospective effect for financing illicit activities. Several Members pointed out that the penal provisions cannot be applied retrospectively. One Member said a comprehensive Bill to address the menace of drug abuse should be brought to Parliament. 

In Rajya Sabha, the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021 was discussed. Being a Money Bill, the amendment was discussed and returned to the Lok Sabha. During the debate, Members expressed their concerns on the functioning of the judiciary and the justice system. Members raised the issue of limited access to the system and limited functioning of Gram Nyayalayas in the country.  

Some Members sought more transparency in the appointment of judges, advocated the constitution of regional benches of the Supreme Court and highlighted poor infrastructure in court complexes.  One Member commended the Law Minister for filling up the vacancies of judges in the higher judiciary. 

In a written reply submitted earlier this month, the Ministry of Law and Justice informed Parliament that a proposal has been received from the Chief Justice of India for setting up a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India to provide adequate infrastructure for courts. The government  approved the extension of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in July for development of infrastructure facilities in district and subordinate courts with a budgetary allocation of Rs. 9,000 crore.

Proceedings in Lok Sabha were ongoing at the time of uploading this note.