Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on his shift from the Law Ministry to the Ministry of Earth Sciences said that the change was not punishment rather it was as per a plan of the Modi government. After taking charge of his office, Rijiju on Friday while talking to the reporters said that the Opposition will definitely criticise him, their speaking against him is not something new and this shift is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.
Rijiju further said that he is thankful to the Prime Minister for giving him the opportunity to work in various departments. He sees it as an opportunity to fulfill PM Modi's dream of making India a developed nation. The Union Minister said, "It's a very interesting and crucial ministry in today's day and age. There's scope for a lot of work in the earth science ministry. It's been my area of interest since childhood. I'm grateful to PM Modi for giving me the opportunity to work in various departments/ministries and gain experience."
When he was asked if his run-ins with the Judiciary were the reason behind this shift then he responded by saying, "Not the day to talk politics. Please don't ask questions related to my previous ministry, as those questions are not relevant now. I will continue to work responsibly as the PM keeps giving me new responsibilities."
A brief communique of Rashtrapati Bhavan said President Droupadi Murmu, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has reallocated portfolios among ministers in the Union Council of Ministers. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State be assigned the independent charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice in addition to his existing portfolios, in place of Shri Kiren Rijiju, it said.
Regarding the nomination of justices, the government and the Supreme Court have often been at odds, which has frequently led to snarky remarks from Rijiju and the Chief Justice of India.
A row flared up when he said that the collegium system of judges appointing judges for higher courts was "alien" to the Constitution. He also requested Chief Justice Chandrachud in a letter to accept government nominees into the collegium system.