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President Drupadi Murmu (Image: PTI)
According to the law ministry order issued through a gazette notification on Monday evening, the panel will have a full-time chairman and four full-time members, including the member secretary.
The government on Monday notified the charter of the 23rd Law Commission for a three-year term, which provides for the appointment of sitting judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts as chairman and members.
The term of the 22nd Legal Panel ends on August 31.
According to the law ministry order issued through a gazette notification on Monday evening, the panel will have a full-time chairman and four full-time members, including the member secretary.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and the Secretary of the Ministry of Legislation are ex-officio members. According to the order, part-time members may not exceed five.
“The Chairman/Member holding office as a Judge of the Supreme Court/High Court shall discharge his/her duties on a full-time basis until retirement from the Supreme Court/High Court or the date of expiry of the term of the Commission,” whichever is earlier,” it said.
The time they spend performing their functions as committee chairperson/member etc. will be considered “actual service”.
The order states that if a person from “other categories” is appointed as chairman or full-time member, the chairman will be entitled to a salary of Rs 25 lakh (fixed) per month. In case of membership, monthly payment of Rs 2.25 lakh (fixed) is allowed.
For retired persons (including retired judges), monthly salary (including pension or pension equivalent to retirement benefits) not exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh or Rs 2.25 lakh (as the case may be) is allowed.
On August 31, the term of the 22nd Law Commission, which had been without a chairman for several months, ended, and the important report on the Uniform Civil Code is still under review.
A report prepared by the legal team on the simultaneous elections is ready and awaiting submission to the Ministry of Justice.
People familiar with the process noted that the report could not be submitted in the absence of the chairman.
Retired judge Ritu Raj Awasthi, who heads the 22 legal team, was appointed as a member of the anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal a few months ago.
A high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind had submitted a report on “One Nation, One Election” in March.
Last year, the 22nd Commission launched a new consultation on the Uniform Civil Code.
A draft report was being prepared when Justice Awasthi was appointed as Lokpal judge after taking suggestions from various sections of society.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
