The Odisha government announced the formation of a new six-member Law Commission, chaired by former Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath. The commission will focus on reviewing and recommending legal reforms in the state. It aims to simplify laws and improve judicial efficiency. The commission’s role is to guide the government on important legal matters and suggest necessary changes to existing laws.
Bhubaneswar: The state government announced on Friday the establishment of a new six-member law commission, chaired by former Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath.
According to a notification from the law department, senior advocates Surya Prakash Mishra and Soura Chandra Mohapatra will serve as members. The advocate general, Pitambar Acharya, and law secretary, Manas Ranjan Barik, will be ex-officio members, with an additional secretary in the law department acting as the ex-officio member secretary.
Read Also: Supreme Court: Issue Notices to OPSC and Odisha Government regarding ASO Exam Scam
Government sources indicated that the law commission’s role will be to propose withdrawals, substitutions, and modifications of various laws to enhance their relevance, as well as to repeal outdated legislation.
It will also assess laws impacting the poor and conduct post-audits to evaluate the socio-economic effects of existing laws.
Additionally, the commission will recommend methods to simplify and modernize laws in alignment with globalization and economic reforms. The previous BJD government appointed Justice Bijaya Kumar Nayak, a retired High Court judge, as the chairperson of the Odisha State Law Commission in 2018.
The Odisha State Law Commission is an advisory body set up by the Government of Odisha to suggest improvements in the state’s legal and judicial systems. It acts as a think tank, recommending updates to outdated laws, drafting new laws, and advising on changes to make justice more accessible and efficient.
The commission works to simplify laws, reduce delays in courts, and guide the government on important legal matters. It reviews existing laws, studies specific legal issues, consults experts, and involves stakeholders like legal professionals and the public. The commission headed by a Chairperson, often a retired High Court judge or a legal expert, and includes members like legal scholars and researchers who support its work.