Constitutional powers should not be exceeded: Manmohan Singh

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the judiciary, legislature and executive should not exceed their respective powers as enshrined in the Constitution, but work in accord to maximise public good.

"It is assumed that none of the organs of the state, whether it is the judiciary or the executive or the legislature, would exceed its powers as laid down in the Constitution," said Dr Singh at the national conference on 'Law and Governance' to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Bar Association of India.Even though their jurisdiction may be separated and demarcated, it is expected that all institutions would work in harmony and in tandem to maximise the public good," he added.

Dr Singh reiterated the need for concerted efforts by the government, the judiciary and the Bar Association to help reduce the mounting arrears in courts and growing cost of litigation, as he said the doctrine of 'separation of powers' was acknowledged as one of the basic features of the Constitution.

"It is also commonly agreed that all the three organs of the state, namely the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive, are bound by and subject to provisions of the Constitution, which demarcates their respective powers, jurisdictions, responsibilities and relationship with one another," he said.

The Prime Minister said the lawyers were an integral part of India's system of administration of justice and they had a role, which was not confined to courts and advising clients.

"The role of lawyers is not confined to courts alone or advising the clients in business deals. It extends to being an integral part of our system of administration of justice - and justice is not just in the legal sense, but justice - social, economic and political - as set out in the preamble of our Constitution," said Dr Singh.

Praising the efforts of the lawyers for their contribution, whether during Independence struggle, framing of the Constitution or just government, Dr Singh expressed his delight at having some former members of the Bar Association of India in his Cabinet.

"The Bar Association of India too has a larger objective beyond the furtherance of professional interests. It aims at promoting public and national welfare in manifold directions and upholding the Constitution of India and the Rule of Law," added Dr Singh. (ANI)