Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Gujarat CM Naarendra Modi and Himachal Pradesh CMVirbhadra Singh at the Conference of Chief Ministers of States and Chief Justices of the High Courts in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on Sunday.
New Delhi, April 7, 2013: Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda has reiterated the demand for a separate High Court for Haryana.
He was speaking at the Conference of Chief Ministers of States and Chief Justices of the High Courts, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today.
The Conference was presided over by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir and Union Law and Justice Minister Dr Ashwani Kumar were also present.
Hooda said that a separate High Court for the state was our constitutional right. This will not only fulfill the aspirations of people of Haryana, but will also strengthen the judicial system in the state. It can be easily realised by bifurcating the existing premises, judges and the staff of Punjab and Haryana High Court, he said. Keeping in view the increased number of litigations originating from Haryana, he also suggested the change in the ratio of judges from 60:40 to 50:50 between Punjab and Haryana.
Hooda said that his government is working for easy and low cost access to justice at the grass root level. Several steps have been taken in this regard. State Legal Services Authority has been spearheading the process of creating legal awareness and assisting the disadvantaged groups in their quest for justice. The advocates on the panel of district authorities and sub-district level legal services committees are regularly holding legal literacy camps in jails for prisoners, in juvenile homes, shelter homes, old age homes etc. Such camps are also held for the officials at the grass root level, like Anganwari workers, patwaris, health workers as well as the elected members of panchayats and the local bodies. A Student Legal Literacy Mission has also been initiated and Legal Literacy Clubs have been opened in 1,544 government schools and 171 colleges, besides 633 clubs in private educational institutions. As many as 509 Legal Aid Clinics have also been established in Gram Panchayats, he said.
He said that all measures for creation of posts and recruitment are being taken by the state government. All the required posts for legal service authorities have been sanctioned and these institutions are performing well.
Hooda said that Haryana is among the front-runners in setting up Family Courts, Environment Courts, Accidents Tribunals, Consumer Courts etc. Alternative forums like Taxation Tribunals, Electricity Regulatory Commission, Lokayukta, Environment Appellate Tribunal and Tribunals under other legislations etc. have contributed in reduction of cases before the regular courts.
The C.M said that special efforts are being made to ensure complete safety and protection of women. A scheme for providing legal aid through women prosecution counsels to victims of sexual offences and other crimes against women and children is being implemented in all the districts of Haryana. To monitor cases pertaining to crimes against women an Additional Director General of Police has been appointed. Lady Deputy Superintendent of Police or an Inspector has been deputed in each district as a nodal officer to coordinate all actions with regard to crime against women. A four digit women helpline number 1091 has been activated. To provide instant help to women in distress, 30 PCR vans exclusively staffed by women police officials have been put in operation. Women police officers are deputed to handle, monitor and investigate rape cases. Two Mahila Police Stations have already been established and four more are in the process of being set up. Haryana Government is also committed to implement the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, which has been recently notified.
He said that the Government of Haryana is setting up new court complexes and residential and other facilities of judicial officers to facilitate their smooth functioning. Adequate funds have been provided for the modernisation of the infrastructure. A Judicial Academy has been set up for upgradation of skills and enhancing the capabilities of judicial officers.
Hooda said that apart from increasing the number of judges, courts and improving the infrastructure, the steps also have been taken to reduce litigation. A litigation policy has been notified in the year 2010 and the results have been very positive.
Referring to the specific agenda points of the Conference, Hooda said that Haryana Government has taken substantive steps in respect of morning and evening courts, CBI and special courts, support to the e-court programme, development and infrastructure of subordinate courts etc. Haryana has two fully functional Gram Nyayalayas.
Hooda welcomed the All India Judicial Service and also expressed support for the initiative of the National Court Management System and the creation of a National Judicial Data grid.
With spirits high Hooda expressed confidence that the deliberations of the Conference will further strengthen the foundations of our democracy. The synergy between the three key players of the democracy i.e. executive, legislature and judiciary alone can ensure equitable development of the Country, he said. He called for reaffirmation of unconditional commitment to the cause of inclusive justice for the citizens.