National Convention on "Law, Justice and the Common Man"
Sonia Gandhi's Speech
Saturday, 27th March 2010: Vigyan Bhawan: 1000 hrs
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji,
Shri Veerappa Moily,
Dr. Abhishek Singhvi,
Distinguished guests,
Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to be present here today at the inaugural session of this National Convention on Law, Justice and the Common Man. As our Constitution has so powerfully demonstrated, the law can be a peaceful instrument of fundamental socio-economic transformation. We are a democracy firmly wedded to the Rule of Law largely because we believe, that it is only through the law that we can ensure equity for all. Inclusive growth is the cornerstone of our economic policy and one of the essential underpinnings of this endeavour, is a legal infrastructure which ensures-that every citizen derives full benefit from the process of economic growth.
It is therefore the responsibility of every government to ensure that their legislative agenda has at its core, a genuine concern for the well being of the common man, that it is reflective of their hopes and their aspirations.
In keeping with this determination and the commitment we made in our Party Menifesto, in the course of UPA-I under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, we brought in a wave of unprecedented legislative reforms that was directed at empowering and improving the lot of the common man. Among others, these initiatives ensured and secured for the ‘aam aadmi’ the right to information and the right to work. The success of these measures brought about far reaching changes that were felt across the country. For the first time, citizens had the power to hold their elected representatives and their civil servants accountable. For the first time, there was a guarantee of 100 days’ manual work to anyone who demanded it in all districts of the country.
The UPA-I also ushered in a new age of protection for the rights of women and children. The Domestic Violence Bill became a reality, ensuring legal protection for women against domestic abuse. Equal rights of inheritance were also secured for Hindu Women. To give special attention to the rights of children, we passed the ‘Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005’ under which the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was set up in March 2007. This Commission was charged with the singular responsibility of making sure that the rights of children under existing administrative policies and programmes were enforced effectively.
To protect the unorganised sector workers we passed the ‘Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008. This seminal legislation seeks to safeguard working conditions and introduce a national social security scheme for the benefit of the 94% men and women working in this sector. It was the first time in sixty years that such legislation had been enacted.
Under UPA-II we have continued this trend. We have pursued and obtained the right to elementary education for our children:
A right which shall become a reality, in a few days, on the 1st of April. Through this historic law all children will have access to free and compulsory elementary education. No child will be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board examination until the completion of elementary education.
In furtherance of our sustained commitment to improve the status of the Indian woman, we have legislated 50% reservation for women in local bodies the panchayats. Above all, we have remained true to Rajivji’s vision and our campaign promise, and have passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. It now awaits the approval of the Lok Sabha.
In a farsighted move, one that will benefit both present and future generations, Parliament is also currently debating legislation that will give our citizens the right to a safe and healthy environment through the agency of a National Green Tribunal.
Most importantly we are committed to the passage of a Right to Food Security law. This will mark yet another achievement in our continuing battle against chronic starvation and malnutrition.
It has always been our persistent belief that Justice should be speedy, effective and affordable. The Grãm Nyayalay Act is yet another milestone legislation that seeks to give life to this aspiration. These Grãm Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps. More than 5000 of them are expected to be set up under the Act, for which the Central Government will provide about Rs.1400 crores to the concerned States/Union Territories. These courts will also ensure the reduction of arrears. More than 2.5 crore cases are pending across various levels of our judiciary.
It is our hope and belief that this measure will usher in a revolution in the handling and disposing of cases while at the same time bringing meaningful justice to the ‘aam aadmi’.
Friends, through these legislative reforms we have sought to put pressure on the Executive to ensure greater accountability to the people. We do not believe in empty and hollow promises. We have taken action to make Government more transparent and more efficient. We have worked to ensure that the fundamental rights promised under our Constitution become a reality.
However, all of these laws are little more than words on paper if they are not enforced. As lawyers you are, of course, the practitioners and interpreters of these laws, but beyond that, you must ensure that society is made aware of its rights and duties.
This is not a small task. Ignorance of the law is widespread. You, as lawyers, must work towards educating and empowering our people.
Lawyers have always been at the forefront of public debate and public action. Our freedom movement saw the participation of some of the finest legal luminaries we have known. Over the decades, your fraternity has played a crucial role in the process of nation building and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so in the future.
I congratulate Dr. Singhvi and the AICC Legal and Human Rights Department for taking this initiative. I am sure that it will mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the Congress party and the larger legal community.
I wish you all success.
Jai Hind!
Sonia Gandhi's Speech
Saturday, 27th March 2010: Vigyan Bhawan: 1000 hrs
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji,
Shri Veerappa Moily,
Dr. Abhishek Singhvi,
Distinguished guests,
Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to be present here today at the inaugural session of this National Convention on Law, Justice and the Common Man. As our Constitution has so powerfully demonstrated, the law can be a peaceful instrument of fundamental socio-economic transformation. We are a democracy firmly wedded to the Rule of Law largely because we believe, that it is only through the law that we can ensure equity for all. Inclusive growth is the cornerstone of our economic policy and one of the essential underpinnings of this endeavour, is a legal infrastructure which ensures-that every citizen derives full benefit from the process of economic growth.
It is therefore the responsibility of every government to ensure that their legislative agenda has at its core, a genuine concern for the well being of the common man, that it is reflective of their hopes and their aspirations.
In keeping with this determination and the commitment we made in our Party Menifesto, in the course of UPA-I under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, we brought in a wave of unprecedented legislative reforms that was directed at empowering and improving the lot of the common man. Among others, these initiatives ensured and secured for the ‘aam aadmi’ the right to information and the right to work. The success of these measures brought about far reaching changes that were felt across the country. For the first time, citizens had the power to hold their elected representatives and their civil servants accountable. For the first time, there was a guarantee of 100 days’ manual work to anyone who demanded it in all districts of the country.
The UPA-I also ushered in a new age of protection for the rights of women and children. The Domestic Violence Bill became a reality, ensuring legal protection for women against domestic abuse. Equal rights of inheritance were also secured for Hindu Women. To give special attention to the rights of children, we passed the ‘Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005’ under which the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was set up in March 2007. This Commission was charged with the singular responsibility of making sure that the rights of children under existing administrative policies and programmes were enforced effectively.
To protect the unorganised sector workers we passed the ‘Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008. This seminal legislation seeks to safeguard working conditions and introduce a national social security scheme for the benefit of the 94% men and women working in this sector. It was the first time in sixty years that such legislation had been enacted.
Under UPA-II we have continued this trend. We have pursued and obtained the right to elementary education for our children:
A right which shall become a reality, in a few days, on the 1st of April. Through this historic law all children will have access to free and compulsory elementary education. No child will be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board examination until the completion of elementary education.
In furtherance of our sustained commitment to improve the status of the Indian woman, we have legislated 50% reservation for women in local bodies the panchayats. Above all, we have remained true to Rajivji’s vision and our campaign promise, and have passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. It now awaits the approval of the Lok Sabha.
In a farsighted move, one that will benefit both present and future generations, Parliament is also currently debating legislation that will give our citizens the right to a safe and healthy environment through the agency of a National Green Tribunal.
Most importantly we are committed to the passage of a Right to Food Security law. This will mark yet another achievement in our continuing battle against chronic starvation and malnutrition.
It has always been our persistent belief that Justice should be speedy, effective and affordable. The Grãm Nyayalay Act is yet another milestone legislation that seeks to give life to this aspiration. These Grãm Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps. More than 5000 of them are expected to be set up under the Act, for which the Central Government will provide about Rs.1400 crores to the concerned States/Union Territories. These courts will also ensure the reduction of arrears. More than 2.5 crore cases are pending across various levels of our judiciary.
It is our hope and belief that this measure will usher in a revolution in the handling and disposing of cases while at the same time bringing meaningful justice to the ‘aam aadmi’.
Friends, through these legislative reforms we have sought to put pressure on the Executive to ensure greater accountability to the people. We do not believe in empty and hollow promises. We have taken action to make Government more transparent and more efficient. We have worked to ensure that the fundamental rights promised under our Constitution become a reality.
However, all of these laws are little more than words on paper if they are not enforced. As lawyers you are, of course, the practitioners and interpreters of these laws, but beyond that, you must ensure that society is made aware of its rights and duties.
This is not a small task. Ignorance of the law is widespread. You, as lawyers, must work towards educating and empowering our people.
Lawyers have always been at the forefront of public debate and public action. Our freedom movement saw the participation of some of the finest legal luminaries we have known. Over the decades, your fraternity has played a crucial role in the process of nation building and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so in the future.
I congratulate Dr. Singhvi and the AICC Legal and Human Rights Department for taking this initiative. I am sure that it will mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the Congress party and the larger legal community.
I wish you all success.
Jai Hind!
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