Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said that the government stands committed to work with the judiciary to bring about improvement in the justice delivery system and has taken a number of initiatives for this purpose.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 150 years celebration of the Bombay High Court in Mumbai on Saturday, Dr. Singh said in the year 2011, the government launched the National mission for justice delivery with the twin objectives of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears and enhancing accountability.

He said that a constitution amendment bill for rising the age of retirement of judges of the High Court is currently before the parliament.

Dr. Singh said a comprehensive proposal has been formulated for the establishment of an All India Judicial Service.

He said a group under the chairman of Law Commission is looking at the improvements that are required in court procedure and processes for a better criminal justice system.

Dr. Singh said all the three organs of Government must work together to ensure social, economic and political justice for the citizens of our country.

He said that the Judiciary has a very direct role in this task which is that of upholding the Rule of Law and ensuring that the people of India enjoy their Fundamental Rights.

The Prime Minister said it is heartening to know that the overall pendency of cases in various courts of the country has declined by more than 6 lakhs over the period July to December 2011.

He noted that the Bombay High Court and its subordinate courts have contributed handsomely to this achievement by reducing their pendency by 5 lakh cases annually since the year 2010.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister also released a book titled “A Heritage of Judging” commemorating 150 years of the Bombay High Court.

During the function, Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia said that the courts are required to appreciate their proper role in the constitution scheme and judgments of court should rest on principles.

He said that on Saturday judicial integrity is a matter of strong public expectation and the high court judges of the future and the entire judiciary should endeavor to fulfill this strong expectation of the people.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan, who was also present, said the state government stands committed in providing speedy justice to the citizens and it is doing so by setting up fast track courts and Lok Adalats.

Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, Attorney General G E Vahanavati, Goa Governor B V Wanchoo, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikkar and other dignitaries also attended the function.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will also deliver the golden jubilee convocation address at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai.