* Says Govt committed to ensure justice for all
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 14: Union Minister for Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju today inaugurated the new premises of the J&K International Arbitration Centre (JKIAC) in the Old Sadder Court Complex, Lal Chowk, here.
Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief, JKIAC, Justice Pankaj Mithal; Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Puneet Gupta, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, former judges of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Advocate General, D.C. Raina and the members of the Arbitration Committee of the JKIAC graced the occasion.
Besides, officers from High Court Registry and District Judiciary, Advocates, empanelled Arbitrators and officers of the Civil Administration were also present on the occasion.
On arrival at the venue, the Law Minister was welcomed by the Chief Justice, members of the Arbitration Committee of the JKIAC and Judges of the High Court, who took him around the premises to have first hand information of the facilities and other infrastructures created in the centre to make it fully functional.
Union Minister while speaking on the occasion complimented the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for establishing an institution of contemporary importance. He underlined the importance of arbitration in commercial transactions especially international ones in view of the rising economy of the country. He said that arbitration is a very important tool for improvement in ease of doing business.
Kiren Rijiju further said that arbitration and mediation can provide better quality justice because the courts are already overburdened with cases. He assured the participants that the Union Government shall provide all possible help and make all the resources available to the judiciary in the UT of J&K to improve the infrastructure as well as the manpower. He further appreciated the judicial fraternity for making tireless efforts in dispensation of justice.
Justice Pankaj Mithal, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, in his address touched upon the importance of the ADRs including arbitration in tackling the rising litigation in the country. He underscored the need of such institutions to ensure speedy and accessible justice not only to the citizens of the country but also to the corporate world. He further said that the arbitration does not require long procedures for the decisions to be made. “It is cost efficient, time saving and permits having the arbitrators of their choice”, he said.
Justice Sindhu Sharma, Chairperson JKIAC in her brief address tracked the history of arbitration in India and emphasised that the country needs to have arbitrators not only for the arbitration centres but also at domestic and community level to sort out the disputes arising at those levels.
Rajeev Gupta, Incharge Coordinator of the JKIAC in his presentation gave an overview of the structure and hierarchy of the JKIAC and also highlighted the pattern of governance and administration.
The Minister also inaugurated Mega Legal Services and Awareness Camp organised by District Legal Services Authority and J&K Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority in collaboration with District Administration Srinagar at Khunmoh, Srinagar. The camp was being organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.
The Union Minister who was chief guest on the occasion said that the Government is obligated to provide justice to all sections of the society and said that J&K Legal Services Authority is doing a commendable job in this regard.
Union Minister urged all the public authorities and institutions to connect with the marginalized and targeted sections of the society living below the line of poverty so as to provide different social welfare and poverty alleviation schemes being provided by the Central and UT Government.
Kiren Rijiju stressed for making every endeavor and effort to make availability of ‘Justice for all’ a reality as per the mandate of the Constitution. The minister said that access to justice is important for ensuring the protection of rights of the citizens under various enactments and Social Welfare Schemes. He further said that the Government is regularly monitoring the implementation of the social services and welfare schemes being provided to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the ground level.
The Union Minister paid floral tribute to the portrait of Dr. B. R Ambedkar and inspected 25 stalls showcased by various Government departments and banks. During the camp, 711 people were imparted benefits under different schemes of the Central Government and the Government of J&K.
Justice Pankaj Mithal, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief, J&K LSA, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, Executive Chairman, J&K LSA, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Puneet Gupta, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi and D. C Raina Advocate General, besides other officers from Legal Services Institutions, Civil Administration and Police also graced the occasion.
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