Rajya Sabha passed the Mediation Bill 2021 on Tuesday. The Bill requires persons to try to settle civil or commercial disputes through mediation before approaching any court or tribunal. A party may withdraw from mediation after two mediation sessions. The mediation process must be completed within 180 days, which may be extended by another 180 days by the parties. The Bill provides for the setting up of The Mediation Council of India.  Its functions will include registering mediators, and recognising mediation service providers and mediation institutes.
 
Replying to the discussion on the bill, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, the bill will reduce the pendency of cases in courts. He informed that five crore cases are pending in courts. He said, the bill has been brought with an aim to provide legal framework to mediation. Mr Meghwal said, the Narendra Modi government has worked with a whole of government approach in this regard.
 
Dr. Amar Patnaik of BJD, Bhubaneshwar Kalita and Rakesh Sinha of BJP, S Niranjan Reddy of YSRCP, G K Vasan of Tamil Maanila Congress (M) and Ramji of BSP participated in the discussion.