Vice-Prez calls for judicial reforms

Amarjot Kaur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 14

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, while addressing a gathering of over 100 people attending the first Balramji Dass Tandon memorial lecture at Panjab University here today, waxed eloquent on issues ranging from abrogation of Article 370 and economic growth to judicial reforms.

Naidu also praised Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for asking Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhary, who posted a provocative tweet on the Indian Army, not to interfere in India’s internal matters.

Cautioning people about “negative coverage”, especially by the western media, about revocation of Article 370, he asked citizens not to fall prey to “false and anti-India propaganda”.

Praising the Punjab CM, Naidu said: “Capt Amarinder has said that ‘we all are one and the country is ready to face any situation’. I read his statement today and I was very happy about it. This is the time when we should learn to be united and the Punjab CM has given a good example of that.”

The Vice-President also underscored the need for judicial reforms. He suggested that setting up of separate Supreme Court Benches and Regional Benches will result in quick disposal of cases. He stated that several cases had been pending in court for 25-30 years. He also rooted for speedy disposal of cases, including those in which MPs have been accused of criminal acts. He advised fast-paced trials in election-related defections and anti-defection law, suggesting that they should be referred to judicial tribunals with a timeframe of six to a maximum of one year.

Naidu said: “The 10th Schedule pertaining to anti-defection law should also be revisited.” While citing a case of an MP election that had been pending for long, Naidu said he was not making any adverse comments on the judiciary. “That is the state of affairs. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

Naidu also asked all parties to evolve a code of conduct for their members for proper conduct and decorum in Parliament. “I call upon all political parties, the only way Parliament should function is (the way) Parliament and an Assembly should function, discuss, debate, decide and do not disrupt. Let the government propose, let the opposition oppose and let the House dispose. That should be the way,” he said.

Governor VP Singh Badnore, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Som Parkash, Minister for School Education and Public Works, Punjab, Vijay Inder Singla, and PU VC Raj Kumar were present.

Remembering Balramji Dass

City BJP president Sanjay Tandon, along with his family members and party workers, co-organised the first Balramji Dass Tandon memorial lecture at the PU. On his father’s first death anniversary, he recollected fond memories of his father and pangs of pain he weathered after his death. Tandon had served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab in 1969-70 and was appointed the Governor of Chhattisgarh in July 2014. He died on August 14 last year.

“Balramji Dass Tandon was a RSS pracharak and an inspirational leader,” Naidu said, urging Tandon to have a subject next time “so that the speaker can focus more on the subject and the contribution of the leader.”

Punjabi translation of a book on the life of Balramji Dass was also unveiled at the event.