In addressing the issue of the massive backlog of cases pending disposal in India’s courts, the Prime Minister has squarely put the put the ball in the court of the judiciary.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s idea to encourage retired judges to decide pending cases has been widely appreciated at the National Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Ministers of various states recently held in Delhi.

Majority of high courts are strongly opposed to the introduction of merit in appointment of judges, and want the present selection procedure by a committee of senior most judges to continue.

The Law Commission headed by former Supreme Court judge A R Lakshmanan has, in a fresh report, reiterated its earlier recommendation for a change in the system of appointment of judges of the higher judiciary.

Expressing serious concern over the huge number of pending court cases, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday called upon the judiciary and the executive to work together to eliminate the “scourge.