Naveen seeks Central assistance for construction of court complexes

He attends joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices
Introduction of shift system in sub-ordinate courts under consideration
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged the Centre to provide financial assistance of Rs. 75 crore for construction of 55 court complexes for the subordinate judiciary in the State.
While attending the joint conference of the Chief Ministers of the States and the Chief Justices of High Courts that was chaired by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, Mr. Patnaik also sought Central assistance of Rs. 100 crore for expansion of the High Court complex and higher judicial courts.
Stating that deficiency in infrastructure was a major challenge to the efficient functioning of the courts, Mr. Patnaik said the State government was trying to all that was possible within the limited resources available.
The current level of financial support under the Centrally-sponsored Plan Scheme was not adequate, he pointed out.
Vigilance courts
According to an official release, Mr. Patnaik informed that in order to clear the backlog of increasing number of cases, the State government had decided to establish 10 more District Courts during the current year and six more district courts during the next financial year.
To speed up trial in corruption cases, the State government had established five vigilance courts during 2007-08 and also enacted the Orissa Special Courts Act under which two special courts were being set up, Mr. Patnaik informed.
Besides, the State government had decided to set up seven more family courts during the current financial year as the number of cases pertaining to matrimonial disputes was on the rise, Mr. Patnaik said.
Welcoming the establishment of fast track courts under the Eleventh Finance Commission Award, Mr. Patnaik emphasised the need to continue the scheme on a permanent basis and its extension to civil cases.
The Chief Minister also indicated that the State government was considering introduction of shift system in the sub-ordinate courts.
On an experimental basis, evening courts were proposed to be set up at Bhubaneswar. The shift system would be replicated in other cities on the basis of experience in Bhubaneswar. Also alternative dispute reddressal mechanism would be introduced soon, he added.
Special Correspondent
Sunday, Apr 20, 2008
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