Date:28/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/28/stories/2006022801230200.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Chandy assures lawyers on High Court Bench

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has assured a delegation led by the Thirvananthapuram Bar Association that a Bench of the High Court with filing powers at the University College would be set up in the Capital. The Government would secure the clearance for the Bench by March 10, members of the delegation who met Mr. Chandy said here on Monday.

Bar Association president N. Sivaramakrishnan Nair and secretary Punchakary Ravi told reporters that when representatives of various organisations working for capital city development met him on Sunday, Mr.Chandy promised to set up the Bench before the tenure of the United Democratic Front (UDF) Government ended.

Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman will get the consent for the Bench at the meeting of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices to be held in New Delhi on March 10. Mr. Purushothaman will represent the Government and apprise the meeting of the Government decision to set up the Bench, they said.

Prime Minister's visit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to visit Kerala on March 10 and 11. Dr. Singh would lay the foundation stone for the new passenger terminal at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Vizhinjam harbour during the visit. The Government is trying to secure the clearance of the Public Investment Board for the passenger terminal and all clearances for the harbour project before Dr.Singh's visit, Mr.Chandy told the delegation.

The formalities for acquiring 500 acres of land for Technocity will be completed within a week. Thirty-seven families will be evicted as per the rules for implementing the project. The delegation demanded the Government to expedite steps for completing all projects that would pave the way for the total development of the Capital.