Narendra Modi govt overcomes Rajya Sabha test, Judicial Bill passed

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Narendra Modi government, which is in a minority in the

, passed its first test in the Upper House on Thursday after the judicial bill was passed with the required majority.

[Read: Lok Sabha passes Judicial Bill]

The Bill, which was passed unanimously in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha following a detailed discussion of the government's proposal to do away with the existing collegium system for appointment of judges in high courts.

A Constitution Amendment Bill to facilitate setting up of a panel (National Judicial Appointments Commission or NJAC) through another bill to appoint the judges to higher judiciary was also passed with the required majority. The 99th Constitution Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday night for consideration, was aimed at scrapping the two-decade-old collegium system for appointing Supreme Court and high court judges.

With the bill becoming a law, the government will have a voice in the appointment of judges after 21 years. Over 260 vacancies for judges in 24 high courts are likely to be filled once the panel comes into operation.

Oneindia News