Ranchi: Minister of state for law and justice (independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday said that around 5 crore cases are pending before the courts of the country, adding that several steps are underway to reduce their number.While taking part in a programme titled ‘12 years of legislative reform’ at Ranchi, the minister stated that around 70,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, 26 to 27 lakh in the high courts and 4.5 crore in the lower court.He added, “The system of ageing analysis is being followed under which the older cases are being pursued on a priority basis. Moreover, alternative dispute redressal, including mediation, conciliation and arbitration, is also a vital mode of reducing the number of cases before the courts.”Replying to the demands by advocates for central administrative tribunal and national green tribunal wings in Jharkhand, Meghwal asked them to submit a memorandum listing out their needs.While speaking on the theme of the meeting, he said that goods and services tax reforms, abrogation of Article 370, Jan Vishwas Bill and new criminal justice laws were among the main reforms implemented by the Union govt.Meghwal added that the Union govt led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would ensure 50% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and the state assemblies even though the bill in this regard fell in Parliament recently. He opined that women have been struggling for equality for the past 100 years in the country.The minister also pointed out that delimitation would increase the representation of states in the same proportions at the national level.