Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday urged State Law Commissions to identify outdated laws for amendment or repeal, saying legal reforms must keep pace with changing times to improve governance and ease of living.
Inaugurating a conference on “Co-operative Federalism and Law Reforms: National and State Perspective” at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, he called for stronger coordination between the Centre and states to build a responsive, citizen-centric legal framework.
“The ultimate purpose of law is to ensure a just, secure and dignified life for every citizen,” he said at the conference organised by the Law Commission of India.
V-P Radhakrishnan said India’s strength lay in its unity in diversity, with the Constitution balancing the strength of the Union with the responsibilities and legitimate autonomy of states. Federalism, he said, required respect for diversity alongside cooperation towards common national objectives.
“Strong states contribute to a strong Union; cooperative governance transforms constitutional ideals into public good,” he said.
Referring to the vision of “Team India” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vice President emphasised consultation, coordination and shared responsibility. Political differences should never obstruct cooperation in the larger public interest, he added.
He said the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 required sound laws, transparent institutions, efficient administration and justice for all.
Highlighting the replacement of three colonial-era criminal laws and the repeal of more than 1,700 obsolete laws over the past 12 years, V-P Radhakrishnan urged states to carry forward the review of outdated legislation.
He clarified that cooperative federalism in legal reforms did not require uniformity in every matter. The Union and states should work together where their constitutional responsibilities converge while preserving states’ legitimate space to address their specific needs.
He called for inter-state consultations, sharing of best practices and systematic reviews of outdated laws through closer engagement among the Law Commission of India, State Law Commissions and State Law Departments.
Referring to the Sengol installed in Parliament as a symbol of righteous authority and ethical governance, the Vice President invoked Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar’s teachings on good governance and the rule of law.
He expressed hope that the conference would produce concrete, actionable recommendations for legal reforms.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Law Commission Chairperson Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Member Secretary Anju Rathi Rana and member D. P. Verma were among those present.
