NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, Dec 09
The State Administrative Council (SAC) under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik today took historic decisions with far reaching ramifications that plugged the loopholes in the Civil Procedure Code to tackle the long-dragging of litigation in the courts and by introducing amendments in the civil procedure rules.
Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill- 2018 today got the approval of the SAC to introduce such provisions in the Code of Civil Procedure, Samvat, 1977 which will help in the disposal of cases in a time-bound manner.
These provisions relate to fixing time-frame for filing a written statement and forfeiture of right of defendant to file written statements after the prescribed period.
Besides provision regarding costs have been attuned and a new provision of case hearing management is being introduced.
These modifications are aimed at speedy disposal of civil cases in courts which tend to linger on unnecessarily. Litigants will save time and costs.
In another significant decision to tap the unbridled corruption in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Administrative Council also approved the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Bill, 2018'.
The Bill is a comprehensive law aimed at tackling Benami transactions in the State. The Bill provides for creation of the requisite administrative structure for enforcement of the law and empowers the Designated Authorities to attach and confiscate any property which is held to be Benami.
Panel provisions incorporated in the Act provide for imprisonment of persons found guilty of offence of Benami transactions which shall not be less than one year extendable to seven years, besides fine equivalent to 25% of the market value of the property can also be imposed.
