Bhubaneswar: With the movement demanding permanent benches of the High Court by various lawyers’ associations gaining ground across the state, the government has reconstituted the committee meant for examining and reviewing all aspects in this regard.
As per a notification issued by the Home department, Development Commissioner Suresh Mohapatra will now head the six-member panel. Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, was heading the committee.
The other members of the panel are the Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Secretary and the Law Secretary. The Home department Special Secretary in charge of High Court has been appointed as Member Convener.
The committee will examine all aspects of establishing an HC bench in south and west Odisha and submit its recommendations to the government.
The Centre had earlier asked the state government to submit a concrete proposal regarding this so that it can take action for establishing the bench.
Lawyers from places like Bolangir, Sambalpur, Koraput, Jeypore, Balasore, Berhampur and Sundargarh are demanding permanent benches of the Orissa High Court in their regions.