Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has reconstituted the State Law Commission and appointed Justice D Krishnakumar, former Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, as its Chairperson.
The Law Department issued the notification on August 7, bringing the new commission into effect after the tenure of the previous commission ended on June 18.
The newly constituted commission will have a three-year tenure from the date on which the Chairman assumes charge.
Justice Krishnakumar brings extensive judicial experience to the commission, having served as a judge of the Madras High Court and later as the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court.
Who Are the Members of the New Law Commission?
The reconstituted commission includes judicial, administrative and legal experts with experience in different areas of governance and law.
Justice R M T Teekaa Raman, former judge of the Madras High Court, has been appointed as a full-time member. He will be joined by T K Ramachandran, former Additional Chief Secretary, and A Arunagiri, former Secretary of the Law Department, as full-time members.
Retired district judges P Mohan Doss and R Govindarajan have been appointed as part-time members.
A Law Secretary-cadre officer will serve as the full-time member-secretary of the commission.
Composition of the Commission
- Chairperson: Justice D Krishnakumar, former Chief Justice, Manipur High Court
- Full-time members: Justice R M T Teekaa Raman, T K Ramachandran and A Arunagiri
- Part-time members: P Mohan Doss and R Govindarajan
- Member-Secretary: Law Secretary-cadre officer
What Will the Tamil Nadu Law Commission Do?
The State Law Commission has a broad mandate covering legislative, judicial and administrative matters.
One of its key responsibilities will be to suggest modifications or amendments to existing laws to address loopholes and improve their effectiveness.
The commission will also recommend social and economic legislative measures and examine the need for rationalisation of existing Acts and laws in Tamil Nadu.
Importantly, its mandate extends beyond state legislation. It can recommend amendments to Central laws applicable to Tamil Nadu, wherever changes are considered necessary.
Focus on Judicial and Administrative Reforms
The commission will also examine ways to improve the functioning of the judicial and administrative systems.
It has been tasked with making recommendations for judicial and administrative reforms aimed at improving and expediting procedures.
The body will further suggest ways and means of strengthening inter-State relations and Centre-State relations.
Another important responsibility will be to examine references made by the state government concerning legislation involving more than one department, along with matters relating to law and judicial administration.
Previous Commission’s Tenure Ended in June
The reconstitution comes after a gap following the expiry of the previous State Law Commission’s tenure on June 18.
The August 7 notification formally establishes the new commission and specifies that its three-year term will begin from the date the Chairperson assumes office.
With Justice Krishnakumar at the helm and the new commission bringing together former judges, senior bureaucrats and legal-administration experts, the body is expected to play a significant role in reviewing Tamil Nadu’s legislative and administrative framework.
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