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CJ seeks more funds for judicial infrastructure

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDALORE AUG. 5. The Madras High Court Chief Justice, Justice B. Subhashan Reddy, has stressed the need for more funds for judiciary to enhance infrastructure. Laying the foundation stone for the Legal Aid Centre here, he said as many as 1.5 lakh main cases and 2.5 lakh miscellaneous cases were pending before the High Court, which had a sanctioned strength of 42 judges and working strength of 31.

Around 10 lakh main cases and 4.5 lakh miscellaneous cases were pending before subordinate courts with 700 judges, he said. Though Tamil Nadu stood first in the speedy disposal of cases, it would be difficult to manage with this strength and the State needs more courts. ``I earnestly urge the State Government to be liberal in funding to meet the requirements of the judiciary'' with respect to buildings, staff, shelter for the litigant public and other infrastructure. He stressed the need for combined court buildings in districts for the benefit of the litigant public.

On the agitation against amendment to the Civil Procedure Code, Justice Mr. Reddy said though the CPC's object of speedy disposal of cases was laudable, one had to give it a thought as to whether this could be achieved with the present number of judicial officers. Against this backdrop, the Lok Adalat system under the Legal Services Authority Act 1987, would serve as an alternative for dispute resolution.

The legal aid centres established in the districts would provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections.

The free legal aid and awareness camps would impart necessary knowledge on the beneficial legislation to women, farm and industrial workers and others, he said.

The Chief Justice thanked the Neyveli Lignite Corporation for contributing Rs.15 lakhs towards construction of the LAC building and library. Adhi Shankar, MP, had earmarked an equal amount from the MPLAD fund for the project, he said. The PWD Minister, O. Paneerselvam, said action would be taken to renovate court buildings in districts.

The Law Minister, D. Jayakumar, said a master plan aimed at enhancing infrastructure in courts at a cost of Rs.120 crores had been forwarded to the Centre. The State Government has sought at least Rs.50 crores for this purpose, he said.

The Local Administration Minister, M. C.Sampath, the NLC Chairman-cum-MD, S. Jayaraman, and the High Court judges, V.S.Sirpurkar, E.Padmanabhan, R. Balasubramanian, K. Sampath, Malai. Subramanaian and A. Kulasekaran, stressed the importance of having a legal aid centre.

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