Justice (retired) M K Hanjura was on Monday appointed as the founding chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir law commission which, among other things, is mandated with identifying the redundant and obsolete state laws which can be repealed.
According to an order issued by the law department, the term of the law commission will be three years and it shall have a chairperson, two full-time members and two part-time members.
Secretary law, justice and parliamentary affairs will be the ex-officio member of the commission, the order said.
The terms of reference of the commission include: identify redundant and obsolete state laws which can be repealed; identify laws that require changes and amendments and make recommendations thereof; suggest measures for quick redress of public grievances in the field of law; examine laws that affect the poor; carry out post-audit of socio-economic legislations; take all necessary measures to harness the law and legal processes in service of the poor; suggest measures for elimination of delays; ensure speedy clearance of arrears and reduction in costs to secure quick and economical disposal of cases without affecting the cardinal principles that decisions should be just and fair; suggest measures for simplification of procedures to reduce and eliminate technicalities and devices for delay so that it operates not an end in itself, but as a means of achieving justice, and recommend to the government measures for bringing the Statute Book up-to-date.