Why another Panel on HC bench, asks Oppn

BHUBANESWAR: The lawyers’ strike at various places of the State demanding High Court bench sparked off a furore in the Assembly. The Opposition members disrupted the proceedings seeking discussion on an adjournment motion on the issue.The members questioned the justification behind the State Government setting up the CR Pal Commission to identify the places for the bench when the Jaswant Singh Commission set up by the Centre had already spelt out criteria for this. The State Government should withdraw the notification appointing the one-man panel as it can in no way resolve the issue, they argued.Alleging that the justice delivery system has collapsed, deputy leader of Congress Narasingh Mishra warned that the consequences of this will be disastrous. Mishra criticised the Government for not talking to the lawyers to resolve the issue. Every citizen has a right to justice and legal aid but they have been deprived of both, he said.The Chief Minister has kept quiet by writing a letter to the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court for setting up benches in Western Orissa and Berhampur, Mishra said and added that the High Court did not have any authority to select the place for the bench. Narayan Reddy (CPI) alleged that the Chief Minister does not want to hold talks with the lawyers while Pradip Maharathi (BJD) alleged that the Opposition parties are trying to politicise the issue.
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Friday March 14 2008 05:48 IST
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