NEW DELHI, Aug 10: The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 by voice vote without a debate amid noisy protests by opposition members demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged police crackdown on students during the July 20 protest against the NEET paper leak.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bill amid the din. When it came up for consideration and passage, opposition members continued their protests, preventing a detailed discussion on the legislation.
The Bill seeks to establish a uniform mechanism for the selection and appointment of chairpersons and members of various tribunals, with the stated objective of improving efficiency and ensuring greater independence, transparency and uniformity in their appointments and qualifications.
In brief remarks, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the proposed legislation does not alter the jurisdiction of any tribunal but seeks to streamline and standardise the appointment process. He described the measure as part of the government's broader "reform express".
The Bill also provides for the establishment of a National Tribunals Commission, which will be headquartered in New Delhi. The proposed commission will comprise a chairperson and four members, including two judicial members and two technical members.
A retired Supreme Court judge or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court will be eligible to head the commission.
The legislation comes against the backdrop of recent Supreme Court observations on the functioning and appointment of tribunal members. The Bill notes that the apex court had struck down certain provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, holding them inconsistent with the principles of separation of powers and judicial independence.
The Supreme Court had also directed the establishment of an independent National Tribunals Commission with professional expertise, transparent procedures and an appropriate oversight mechanism for the selection and appointment of chairpersons and members of various tribunals.
Once the new legislation comes into force, the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 will be repealed.
The proposed law lays down provisions relating to the qualifications, selection and appointment of tribunal chairpersons and members, as well as their salaries, allowances, resignation, removal and other conditions of service.
Members who had given notices to oppose the Bill at the introduction stage did not participate in the discussion amid the continuing protests in the House.
