Latest news with #ArjunRamMeghwal
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"India will become the arbitration hub," says Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal
New Delhi [India], June 15 (ANI): In an effort to strengthen India's status as a global hub for arbitration, a National Conference on Institutional Arbitration was convened by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with ONGC and the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC), a release said on Sunday. This event took place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on June 14. According to the release, the day-long Conference brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice, representatives of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), legal experts and arbitration professionals. The aim was to promote institutional arbitration as the preferred mode of commercial dispute resolution and to highlight the IIAC as a globally competitive arbitral institution. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. In his address, he bridged India's modern legal aspirations with its philosophical history, referencing the country's ancient tradition of consensual dispute resolution and stating that arbitration is deeply rooted in Indian culture. Affirming the Government's vision with conviction, he stated that 'India will become the arbitration hub.' The inaugural session opened with a welcome address by Hon'ble Shri Justice Hemant Gupta (Retd.), Chairperson, IIAC, who discussed key challenges hindering the growth of institutional arbitration in India, particularly the continued reliance on ad hoc mechanisms. He emphasised the transition from the erstwhile International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR) to IIAC as a significant move by the Government and stressed the need for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to adopt structured institutional frameworks. Avnit Singh Arora, Director, Department of Legal Affairs, followed with a detailed presentation outlining the legislative strides and policy reforms undertaken by the Department over the last decade. Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), brought an industry perspective, calling for faster, institutionalised arbitration processes. He remarked, 'Timeliness, not timelessness, should be the ethos of our legal systems.' Shri K Moses Chalai, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, echoed the thought, highlighting that effective arbitration directly affects governance, operational efficiency and the economic health of CPSEs. Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice provided a comprehensive overview of legal reforms -- from repealing obsolete laws to digitising the court system. She emphasised the Government's vision to develop IIAC as a world-class arbitral institution, at par with leading international arbitration centres, particularly by incorporating dispute resolution clauses in PSU contracts that designate IIAC as the preferred institution of arbitration. Following the inaugural session, the Conference featured four technical sessions, each delving into key aspects of institutional arbitration. In addition to the participation of over 150 distinguished delegates, the Conference witnessed strong virtual engagement with over 700 views on Facebook and more than 900 live views on YouTube. The first session, 'Strengthening Dispute Resolution in PSUs: The Role of Institutional Arbitration', addressed public sector-specific challenges and institutional arbitration's potential in transforming the dispute resolution landscape, particularly concerning infrastructure and public sector contracts. Speakers highlighted the need for capacity-building and called for structured, institutional processes over fragmented ad hoc mechanisms, with support from bodies like IIAC. The second session took a close look at the IIAC (Conduct of Arbitration) Regulations, 2023, breaking down key provisions and their practical relevance. A short film was also screened, showcasing IIAC's state-of-the-art infrastructure and signalling India's readiness to handle complex, high-stakes arbitrations. The third session, 'Best Practices During Arbitral Process -- A Discourse', focused on procedural and institutional best practices to enhance the effectiveness of arbitration. Speakers advocated for structured case management, suggesting that their regularisation under institutional rules would enhance clarity, expedite timelines, and minimise ambiguities in the arbitral process. The fourth session focused on learnings from international jurisdictions and the way ahead for the arbitration ecosystem in India. The discussion included global practices, emergency arbitration and access to legal research tools to make arbitration more accessible. The technical sessions concluded with a vote of thanks by Ganesh Chandru, part-time member, IIAC. As India rapidly expands its global footprint, the Conference set the tone for the country's next leap in arbitration excellence, anchored in institutional strength and international best practices. (ANI)
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Committed to making India a global arbitration hub: Arjun Ram Meghwal
Invoking the country's ancient tradition of consensual dispute resolution, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the government is committed to making India a global arbitration hub. Addressing a National Conference on Institutional Arbitration, organised by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with ONGC and the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) on Saturday, the Minister said efforts are being made to promote institutional arbitration as the preferred mode of commercial dispute resolution. He said the government is also trying to highlight the IIAC as a globally competitive arbitral institution. The day-long Conference brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice, representatives of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), legal experts and arbitration professionals. The Conference featured four technical sessions, each delving into key aspects of institutional arbitration. In addition to the participation of over 150 distinguished delegates, the Conference witnessed strong virtual engagement with over 1,600 views on social media. The first session, 'Strengthening Dispute Resolution in PSUs: The Role of Institutional Arbitration', addressed public sector-specific challenges and institutional arbitration's potential in transforming the dispute resolution landscape, particularly concerning infrastructure and public sector contracts. Speakers highlighted the need for capacity-building and called for structured, institutional processes over fragmented ad hoc mechanisms, with support from bodies like IIAC. The second session took a close look at the IIAC (Conduct of Arbitration) Regulations, 2023, breaking down key provisions and their practical relevance. A short film was also screened, showcasing IIAC's state-of-the-art infrastructure and signalling India's readiness to handle complex, high-stakes arbitrations. The third session, 'Best Practices During Arbitral Process — A Discourse', focused on procedural and institutional best practices to enhance the effectiveness of arbitration. Speakers advocated structured case management, suggesting that their regularisation under institutional rules would enhance clarity, expedite timelines, and minimise ambiguities in the arbitral process. The fourth session focused on learnings from international jurisdictions and the way ahead for the arbitration ecosystem in India. The discussion included global practices, emergency arbitration and access to legal research tools to make arbitration more accessible. The inaugural session opened with a welcome address by Justice Hemant Gupta (Retd.), Chairperson, IIAC, who discussed key challenges hindering the growth of institutional arbitration in India, particularly the continued reliance on ad hoc mechanisms. He emphasised the transition from the erstwhile International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR) to IIAC as a significant move by the Government and stressed the need for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to adopt structured institutional frameworks.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India will soon become the hub of arbitration, says Law Minister
New Delhi Emphasising the importance of Institutional arbitration, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday (June 14, 2025) said that India needs a strong ecosystem of alternative dispute resolution that will reduce the burden on courts and also strengthen the environment of economic confidence in the country. Speaking at a conference on 'Institutional Arbitration: An Effective Framework for Dispute Resolution', organised by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, at Bharat Mandapam, Mr. Meghwal said that the organisations should be ready to be both flexible and rigid, depending on the need of the hour, to ensure that its interests remain protected and it contributes towards nation building. 'We need to provide a vibrant ecosystem for Alternative Dispute Resolution, which includes arbitration, mediation and conciliation. This will offer additional convenience to investors and businessmen. More importantly, it will reduce the burden of cases on Indian courts,' the Minister said. Terming arbitration as part of Indian culture, Mr. Meghwal said that the concept got 'distorted' somewhere down the line and other countries became the hub of international arbitration. 'India will soon emerge as the new hub of international arbitration,' he added. The Minister's remarks came after ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh pointed out that there is a need to make the procedure of arbitration 'time-bound', which is quintessential for the business ecosystem. He also said that the arbitration should be 'more corporate' and 'less legal'. Pointing out the government's efforts to make arbitration faster and easier, Law Secretary Anju Rathi Rana said that a recent directive from the Department of Legal Affairs pushes for reducing judicial interventions and using institutional and not ad hoc arbitration. Chairman of India International Arbitration Centre, Justice (retd) Hemant Gupta, pushed for a change in the mindsets of parties to go for institutional arbitration, rather than an ad hoc system to settle commercial disputes.
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal expresses condolences over AI-171 plane crash
New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): Union Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, on Saturday, expressed condolences following the tragic crash of an Air India flight 171 that claimed 241 lives including crew members. Speaking to media persons, Arjun Ram Meghwal said, 'I am here for a conference. I have expressed my deep condolences to all those who lost their lives in Air India Plane Crash...' A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. Meanwhile, the government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to examine the causes of the crash of the flight. 'A High-Level Multi-disciplinary Committee is constituted for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025. The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future,' an order issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry read. The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, the ATC Log, and witness testimonies, and will publish its report within three months. The committee, headed by the Home Secretary, includes representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Indian Air Force, and aviation experts. The committee will assess the emergency response of the various stakeholders, including rescue operations and coordination among them. It will also suggest policy changes, operational improvements and training enhancements required to prevent such occurrences and handle post-crash incident situations. (ANI)
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Govt will take care of injured: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Ahmedabad plane crash
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], June 14 (ANI): Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said the Indian government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have taken the Ahmedabad plane crash incident very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation. The Union Minister expressed deep shock over the AI 171 plane crash and termed it an 'unfortunate' incident. 'This is very unfortunate, and the Indian government and the DGCA will investigate it thoroughly... They will take whatever precautions they want, and for those who have died, they will handle all compensation and any other matters. Along with that, we will take complete care of those injured... The government and DGCA have taken it very seriously. There will be a serious inquiry into it...' Joshi told reporters. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. Earlier today, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal consoled the loss of lives. Speaking to media persons, Arjun Ram Meghwal said, 'I am here for a conference. I have expressed my deep condolences to all those who lost their lives in Air India Plane Crash...' Meanwhile, the government has constituted a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to examine the causes of the crash of the flight. 'A High-Level Multi-disciplinary Committee is constituted for examining the causes leading to the crash of the Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) on June 12, 2025. The Committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines issued to prevent and handle such occurrences and suggest comprehensive guidelines for dealing with such instances in the future,' an order issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry read. The committee will have access to all records, including, among others, flight data, cockpit voice recorders, aircraft maintenance records, the ATC Log, and witness testimonies, and will publish its report within three months. The committee, headed by the Home Secretary, includes representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Indian Air Force, and aviation experts. The committee will assess the emergency response of the various stakeholders, including rescue operations and coordination among them. It will also suggest policy changes, operational improvements and training enhancements required to prevent such occurrences and handle post-crash incident situations. (ANI)
