Modi launches system for SC to go paperless
Praises judiciary for decision to hear cases during vacation
Launching an integrated case management information system in the Supreme Court which will enable digital filing of cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the combination of “information technology” and “Indian Talent” would create “India Tomorrow”. He urged people to adopt technology to remain relevant in changing times.
Speaking at a function at Vigyan Bhavan, Mr Modi said it is a step towards paperless Supreme Court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the judiciary for its decision to hear cases during the summer break, and said it would strengthen the sense of responsibility among people towards their work.
Mr Modi recalled the Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar’s appeal at Allahabad on April 2 for the higher judiciary to take up hearings of cases, at least some days during the vacation.
He said the appeal was inspirational, and he has heard very encouraging news in this regard from the Supreme Court and the high courts.
CJI Khehar had asked high court judges to volunteer working for a few days during the summer break for speedy disposal of cases, a step which the Supreme Court had already decided to take.
The CJI had on April 6 written to the chief justices of the 24 high courts, requesting them to work for a few days during summer vacations to bring down the pendency of cases.
Over 61,000 cases are pending in the apex court, while the 24 high courts have 38.70 lakh pending cases, according to the latest law ministry data.
Mr Modi urged lawyers to become part of the pro bono scheme launched by the Law Ministry under which advocates can fight cases for the poor for free.
He said several gynaecologists now offer free services to poor pregnant women on 9th of every month on his request. “42,000 students from IT worked for 36 hours nonstop to give solutions to 400 issues the government had flagged,” he recalled.
The PM termed “unfortunate” the mindset of people relating technology with new hardware. He said in government offices, computers have replaced flower vases, but they are used as show pieces only.
“But no one uses (these computers)...Mindset is a problem,” he said.
He said while people go for the latest mobile phones, their use of gadget is limited to “red and green — connect and disconnect — buttons”.