Lok Sabha Question No. 3734 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-11
Subject: Constitution of Twenty Second Law Commission
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS ****

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3734 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 11-8-2023

## CONSTITUTION OF TWENTY SECOND LAW COMMISSION

## 3734 . SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government has approved the constitution of 22nd Law Commission;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   the nature of duties and functions of the proposed 22nd Law Commission; and
- (d)   the tenure of the Commission?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

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- (a) to (d): The Government has constituted the 22 nd Law Commission of India (LCI) for a period of three year with effect from 21 st February, 2020. The term of 22 nd LCI has since been extended upto 31 st August, 2024. The para 4 of the order dated 21 st February, 2020, constituting the LCI provides its terms of reference, which is as under;
- "4. The terms of reference of the Twenty-second Law Commission shall be as under:
- A. Review/Repeal of obsolete laws:
- (i)  Identify  laws  which  are  no  longer  needed  or  relevant  and  can  be  immediately repealed.
- (ii)  Identify  laws  which  are  not  in  harmony  with  the  existing  climate  of  economic liberalisation and need change. (iii)  Identify  laws  which  otherwise  require  changes  or  amendments  and  to  make suggestions for their amendment. (iv) Consider in a wider perspective the suggestions for revision/amendment given by Expert  Groups  in  various  Ministries/Departments  with  a  view  to  coordinating  and harmonizing them. (v) Consider references made to it by Ministries/Departments through the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, in respect of legislations having bearing on the working of more than one Ministry/Department. (vi) Suggest suitable measures for quick redressal of citizens grievances, in the field of law. B. Law and Poverty: (i)  Examine  the  laws  which  affect  the  poor  and  carry  out  post-audit  for  socioeconomic  legislations. (ii) Take all such measures as may be necessary to harness law and the legal process in the service of the poor. C.  Keep  under  review  the  system  of  judicial  administration  to  ensure  that  it  is
- responsive to the reasonable demands of the times and in particular to secure:
- (i) elimination of delays, speedy clearance of arrears and reduction in costs so as to secure quick and economical disposal of cases without affecting the cardinal principle that decision should be just and fair.
- (ii) simplification of procedure to reduce and eliminate technicalities and devices for delay so that it operates not as an end in itself but as a means of achieving justice.
- (iii) improvement of standards of all concerned with the administration of justice.
- D. Examine the existing laws in the light of Directive Principles of State Policy and to suggest ways of improvement and reform and also to suggest such legislations as might be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble of the Constitution.
- E. Examine the existing laws with a view for promoting gender equality and suggesting amendments thereto.
- F. Revise the Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and to remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities.
- G. Recommend to the Government measures for making the statute book up to date by repealing  obsolete  laws  and  enactments  or  parts  thereof  which  have  outlived  their utility.
- H. Consider and convey to the Government its views on any subject relating to law and judicial  administration  that  may  be  specifically  referred  to  it  by  the  Government through Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Legal Affairs).

I.  Consider  the  requests  for  providing  research  to  any  foreign  countries  as  may  be referred to it by the Government through Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Legal Affairs). J. Examine the impact of globalization on food security, unemployment and recommend measures for the protection of the interests of the marginalised ."

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