Lawyers' strike ends, decision taken after meeting with the government: Promises to leave the powers related to tenancy-property with the judiciary, 5-member team to be formed

The lawyers' strike that has been going on for 6 days over the Rent Bill has come to an end. After the meeting between the lawyers and the government, it has been decided to form a 5-member committee to make necessary amendments in the Rent Bill. At the same time, the government has assured that the power related to rent and property will remain with the judicial authority. According to Bar Council of Gujarat Chairman P.D. Patel, there was resentment among the lawyers over the Rent Bill and they stayed away from work. A meeting was held with the Deputy Chief Minister on this issue. As well as discussions were held with the members of the Bar Council. A five-member committee will be formed by the government to review the new law and a final decision will be taken on the amendments suggested by the committee. The issue of powers given to the collector will be abolished. Jaishankar Prajapati, president of the Small Cause Court Bar Association, said that the lawyers have been assured by the government. Necessary changes will be made by taking out the provisions of the existing law and the new law. In particular, the power related to rent and property will remain with the judiciary, while the issue of giving powers to the collector will be cancelled. He further said that the law from the central government was directly implemented. After studying the draft law, the lawyers presented their issues to the government, but initially their demands were not accepted and the bill was passed. The lawyers stayed away from work in protest. Court proceedings will start from October 7 Jagatbhai Choksi of the Ahmedabad Criminal Court said that the lawyers had protested against the law. The protest has been called off after discussions with the government and assurances received. Proceedings in the court will resume as usual from October 7. Why were the lawyers opposing the rent bill? Until now, under the old law, all claims of dispute or dispute between the landlord and the tenant were filed in the Small Causes Court. Also, its legal proceedings were properly conducted before trained judges. But in the draft of the new law prepared by the government, this power has been snatched away from the Small Causes Court and given to officers of the rank of Deputy Collector or Assistant Municipal Commissioner as the Rent Authority. This was opposed by the lawyers. The main reason for the protest by the lawyers was the issue of no suggestions being sought before the draft was made. Moreover, officers like the Collector or the Municipal Commissioner are not properly trained for the provisions and procedure of the law, so they cannot be appointed as judges. At the same time, it will be very difficult for lawyers to leave the court premises and go to different zones of the collector's offices or corporations to fight the case and the parties will also find it difficult to get proper justice. At present, this bill is pending for the Governor's signature. Then it should be repealed and the old law should be continued.