Govt., Opposition call for changing collegium system, Pg 1 & 10

Key Highlights

Demand for Reform in Collegium System

• Vice-President & RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar chaired a meeting post the discovery of half-burnt currency at a High Court judge s residence.

• Both Government and Opposition agreed on the lack of transparency in the current collegium system for judicial appointments.

• A push was made for finding an alternative system that ensures accountability while preserving judicial independence.

NJAC Act Revival Debate

• NJAC (National Judicial Appointments Commission) Act, passed in 2014 and struck down by SC in 2015, was cited as a visionary step by Dhankhar.

• The NJAC Bill was ratified by 16 states and passed by Parliament but declared unconstitutional.

• Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to clarify its position on NJAC.

Parliament s Role & Sovereignty

• Dhankhar stressed the issue touches on the sovereignty and relevance of Parliament.

• Discussions included the larger constitutional question:  Are we (Parliament) relevant at all?

Political Consensus Building

• BJP chief J.P. Nadda to meet all RS floor leaders for a solution-based dialogue.

• Emphasis on separating the issue of the currency note recovery from judicial reforms.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Signals a rare bipartisan consensus on revisiting judicial appointments mechanisms.

• Way forward: Consider refined NJAC-like alternatives, ensure Parliamentary scrutiny while maintaining judicial independence through checks and balances.

Mains Mock Question:

"Discuss the need for reforming the Collegium system of judicial appointments in India. Critically evaluate the role of NJAC and the concerns regarding judicial independence and Parliamentary supremacy."