PM Modi Approves E-court Mission Project's Phase 3; Budget Increased Four times, Emphasising 'Ease of Justice'
In marking the 75 years of the Supreme Court of India, Prime Minister Modi delivered a significant address to a distinguished audience, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Supreme Court in guiding and directing the nation's entire justice system. He underscored the importance of making the Court's services accessible across India, ensuring that every citizen's needs are met. In line with this commitment, the government has recently sanctioned the third phase of the E-Court Mission Project, with a budget that is quadruple that of the second phase. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with Chief Justice Chandrachud's direct involvement in overseeing the digitization of courts nationwide, applauding his efforts towards facilitating Ease of Justice.
The Prime Minister noted that since 2014, over 7,000 crore rupees have been allocated for enhancing judicial infrastructure. Acknowledging the challenges faced in the current Supreme Court building, he revealed that just last week, the government approved an 800 crore rupees fund for the expansion of the Supreme Court complex.
Highlighting legal reforms, the Prime Minister mentioned the government's initiative in repealing outdated colonial criminal laws and introducing new legislations like the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These reforms signify a major overhaul of India's legal, policing, and investigative frameworks, propelling them into a modern era. Stressing the importance of a seamless transition from old to new laws, he informed that training and capacity building of government personnel are already underway. Furthermore, he called upon the Supreme Court to take a leading role in the capacity building of all related stakeholders.
The original address delivered in Hindi can be accessed here. Its English translation is as follows:
The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud ji, the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justices of various High Courts, our guest judges from abroad, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal ji, Attorney General Venkat Ramani ji, Chairman of the Bar Council, Manan Kumar Mishra ji, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Dr. Adish Aggarwala ji, other dignitaries, ladies, and gentlemen.
Two days ago, the Constitution of India entered its 75th year. Today also marks the commencement of the 75th year of the Supreme Court of India. It is a pleasure to be among you all on this historic occasion. I extend my best wishes to all the jurists on this occasion.
Friends,
The framers of the Indian Constitution envisioned an independent India grounded in the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. The Supreme Court of India has continually strived to uphold these principles. Be it freedom of expression, individual liberty, or social justice, the Supreme Court has consistently strengthened India's vibrant democracy. Over these seven decades, the Supreme Court has made several significant decisions regarding individual rights and freedom of speech. These judgments have given a new direction to the socio-political environment of the country.
Friends,
Today, every institution and organization in India, whether it's the executive or the legislature, is working with the goals for the next 25 years in mind. This mindset is leading to major reforms in the country. Today's economic policies in India will lay the foundation for a bright future. Laws being formulated today will strengthen the India of tomorrow. In changing global circumstances, the world's attention is on India, and the world's trust in India is growing. It's essential for India to seize every opportunity and not let any slip away. India's priority today includes Ease of Living, Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Travel, Ease of Communication, and also Ease of Justice. The citizens of India deserve Ease of Justice, and the Supreme Court is the primary medium for it.
Friends,
The entire justice system of the country depends on the guidance and directions of the Supreme Court. It's our duty to ensure that the Court's accessibility reaches the farthest corners of India and fulfills the needs of every Indian. With this in mind, the third phase of the E-Court Mission Project was recently approved, with a budget four times larger than the second phase. I am pleased that Chief Justice Chandrachud is personally monitoring the digitization of courts across the country. I congratulate him for his efforts towards Ease of Justice.
Friends,
Our government is also committed to improving the physical infrastructure of courts. Since 2014, more than 7,000 crore rupees have been distributed for this purpose. I am aware of the difficulties being faced in the current Supreme Court building. Just last week, the government approved 800 crore rupees for the expansion of the Supreme Court building complex. Just make sure you don't come up with a petition like the one for the parliament building, alleging unnecessary expenditure.
Friends,
Today, you have also given me the opportunity to launch some of the Supreme Court's digital initiatives. With the help of Digital Supreme Court Reports, the court's decisions will now be available in digital format. I am pleased to see that the court's decisions are being translated into local languages. I hope that such facilities will soon be available in other courts as well.
Friends,
Today's event is an example of how technology can aid in Ease of Justice. My address is currently being translated into English with the help of AI, and some of you are listening to it through the Bhashini app. There might be some initial hiccups, but this shows the wonders that technology can do. By using similar technologies in our courts, we can make the lives of ordinary citizens easier. You might remember, I had spoken about simplifying the language of laws. I believe that writing court decisions in simple language will further help the common people.
Friends,
In our journey towards Amrit Kaal, it's essential that our laws reflect a balance of Indianness and modernity. The government is working on modernizing laws in accordance with current circumstances and best practices. By abolishing old colonial criminal laws, the government has started working on the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These changes mark the entry of our legal, policing, and investigative systems into a new era. It's crucial that the transition from centuries-old laws to new ones is smooth. For this, training and capacity building of government employees have already been started. I urge the Supreme Court to lead in capacity building of all stakeholders.
Friends,
A robust justice system is the foundation of a developed India. The government is continually making decisions to create a trustworthy system. The Jan Vishwas Bill is a step in this direction. It will reduce the unnecessary burden on the judicial system in the future and also decrease the number of pending cases. You know that the government has also introduced the Law of Mediation for Alternative Dispute Resolution. This is reducing the burden on our judiciary, especially the subordinate judiciary.
Friends,
With everyone's efforts, India will achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. And in this, the Supreme Court will undoubtedly play a significant and positive role in the next 25 years. Once again, I thank you all for inviting me here. One thing you might have noticed, but I feel it's appropriate to mention in this forum. This year, among the Padma Awards recipients, we honored retired Supreme Court judge and the first Muslim woman judge in the Supreme Court of Asia, Fatima ji, with the Padma Bhushan. It is a matter of great pride for me. Once again, I extend my hearty congratulations to the Supreme Court on its 75th anniversary.
Thank you very much.
