Patna, Dec. 19: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today pitched for appointment of higher court judges as per process devised by the Supreme Court (SC) to protect its independence and voiced concern over delay in appointment of high courts and apex court judges.

"Judiciary should be kept independent," Nitish said, adding that delay in judges' appointment was not good for the country. "Having vacancies of judges in high courts and the Supreme Court is not good," the chief minister said. "If the vacancies are left, they would negatively impact the judicial system and justice will get delayed."

Nitish made the observation while addressing journalists on Monday after conducting Lok Samvad or public interaction programme at the chief minister's secretariat to listen to people's problems and take suggestions on how to resolve them.

Altogether 40 persons, selected on the basis of their applications, attended.

The remarks come at a time when the central government and the Supreme Court are at loggerheads over the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary. The schism set in after the apex court last year struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014 saying it would affect its independence.

In November, the SC collegium recommended 77 names for appointment as judges in various high courts. The Centre accepted 34 and sent the rest back to the apex court.

Nitish, however, toed the Centre and BJP's line on announcement of Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat's name for the post of army chief, superseding two seniors. "I don't have much information... We don't want to drag the army into a controversy," he said.

Nitish said he would conduct a "point-by-point analysis of the note ban after December 30." He said he will call a meeting of his party after December 30, when the "50-day period of difficulty", as announced by the Prime Minister, comes to an end.

He welcomed the Election Commission's suggestion that any donation of Rs 2,000 and above to political parties should be disclosed. "Why only Rs 2,000... if anybody gives even Rs 10 or Re 1 to any political party, people should know his name."

Nitish asserted that making the country cashless was impossible and pointed out even the US economy was only 40 to 45 per cent cashless.

"We are also cashless and a majority of central and state government works are done in a cashless way. The concept will grow slowly as the economy develops, but it can't be forced suddenly," Nitish said.