Cabinet approves constitutional status for Judicial Appointments Commission

The constitutional amendment bill says there will be a JAC but does not say it will be headed by the CJI or mentions the composition.

While the constitutional amendment bill - an enabling bill - was passed by the Upper House, the main bill – the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2013--was referred to the standing committee.

The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill defines the establishment of the proposed body to recommend appointment and transfer of judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts.

“We have made compromises to make the bill palatable to all. We have satisfied all demands.... The bill with official amendments will be tabled in the Lok Sabha now,” Law Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters here.

While a constitutional amendment bill requires two-third majority for passage in a House, a normal legislation just needs a simple majority.