Pravash Pradhan
Post News Network
New Delhi, April 5: Addressing a joint conference of chief ministers of states and chief justices of the high courts here Friday, Orissa Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat urged the Union government to fill up vacancies of nine judges in Orissa High Court.
In order to streamline the judicial system in the state, the minister highlighted the state government’s proposal to set up additional 15 Gram Nyayalayas at the block levels and establishment of 60 courts exclusively for trial of cases relating to women.
Amat who attended the conference on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasised the state government’s efforts to provide justice at the doorstep of citizens.
“State government is keen to provide justice at doorstep and the Centre should increase financial assistance in this regard,” said Amat.
He said the Naveen Patnaik government has constituted a committee of three judges to prepare a vision document for early disposal of old cases in High Courts and sub-ordinate Courts.
After a gap of two years, such a conference of Chief Minsters and Judges has been organised. Earlier it was held April 7, 2013.
Several chief ministers from states ruled by non-NDA parties demanded substantial support from the Centre for improving judicial infrastructure even as they resolved to address pendency of cases.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state, in its submission to the 14th Finance Commission, had sought grants of `4,461 crore for improving judicial infrastructure in the state.
Bihar also sought financial assistance from the Centre for increasing the number of judicial officers and non-gazetted employees and to expand the infrastructure. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the state being “resource poor” needs Centre’s financial help to strengthen the judicial system. ‘‘A resourceless state like Bihar is facing problems to fulfil the same with its own resources. It is important to increase financial help under 14th Finance Commission.
