Fast-track courts help the cause of infra cases

22 Jan 2021 Editorial Team

Justice Secretary Barun Mitra recently informed cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba that 22 of the high courts have operationalised these specially designated courts. Some of them set special days every week for exclusive handling of relief matters on infrastructure project contracts.

The special courts of Calcutta, Allahabad, MP and Karnataka within the jurisdiction of the respective HC, have dedicated special days every week to enable exclusive handling of relief matters pertaining to infrastructure contracts, said Mitra.

The law ministry has been entrusted with the task of improving India's ranking on the "enforcing contract" aspect of the ease of doing business ranking. The ministry has been in regular touch with each of the high courts to ensure that separate commercial benches of the HCs and district courts under them are set up to expedite resolution of commercial disputes.

Last month, a review meeting was held on "enforcing contracts", chaired by the justice secretary and attended by other members of the task force constituted for improving India's World Bank ranking. The task force includes members from the department of legal affairs and the high courts of Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Karnataka and department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT). The e-Committee of the Supreme Court is also a member of the task force.

In 2020, India ranked 63rd overall in the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking, a significant jump from the 130th position it held out of 190 countries in 2016. To further expedite time-bound disposal of commercial cases, the government has created 42 additional posts of higher judicial services in Delhi HC.

Image Source

In a move that comes as a boost to India's chances of further improvement in the World Bank ease of doing business rankings, 22 out of 25 High Courts in the country have operationalised designated fast track courts to adjudicate disputes related to infrastructure project contracts. Justice Secretary Barun Mitra recently informed cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba that 22 of the high courts have operationalised these specially designated courts. Some of them set special days every week for exclusive handling of relief matters on infrastructure project contracts. The special courts of Calcutta, Allahabad, MP and Karnataka within the jurisdiction of the respective HC, have dedicated special days every week to enable exclusive handling of relief matters pertaining to infrastructure contracts, said Mitra. The law ministry has been entrusted with the task of improving India's ranking on the enforcing contract aspect of the ease of doing business ranking. The ministry has been in regular touch with each of the high courts to ensure that separate commercial benches of the HCs and district courts under them are set up to expedite resolution of commercial disputes. Last month, a review meeting was held on enforcing contracts, chaired by the justice secretary and attended by other members of the task force constituted for improving India's World Bank ranking. The task force includes members from the department of legal affairs and the high courts of Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Karnataka and department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT). The e-Committee of the Supreme Court is also a member of the task force. In 2020, India ranked 63rd overall in the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking, a significant jump from the 130th position it held out of 190 countries in 2016. To further expedite time-bound disposal of commercial cases, the government has created 42 additional posts of higher judicial services in Delhi HC. Image Source

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Oct 2025

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..