Monday, Apr 04, 2005
Monday, Apr 04, 2005 |
| Karnataka | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Karnataka
-
Mysore
By Our Staff Correspondent
MYSORE, APRIL 3. The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, on Sunday voiced his concern over the poor representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the higher echelons of the judiciary. Mr. Siddaramaiah was speaking at the valedictory of the 12th State-level Judicial Officers' Conference here. He paid glowing tributes to the judiciary in India, but lamented that even after 55 years after adopting the Constitution, there was inadequate representation of the Scheduled Castes and other backward class groups among High Court judges.
Inadequate
He cited the Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah Committee report which went into the working of the Constitution. "Only 20 of the 610 High Court judges in India are from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and even 55 years after the adoption of the Constitution, the representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is far from adequate and is indeed a sad commentary on the working of social justice concepts in the very temple of justice," he said. He expressed hope that the "disturbing trend of denial of representation" will be reversed and dwelt on a scheme — first introduced by the late D. Devaraja Urs — that figured in the recent budget as per which stipends will be given to the newly enrolled advocates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes, minorities and women.
Scheme
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the then Law Minister, L.G. Havanur, piloted the scheme for the first time in the country and the scheme has worked wonders and gone a long way in sustaining advocates from weaker sections in the profession so as to ultimately provide manpower to don the judicial robes. He said the State Government has taken steps towards taking justice to the doors of the common man and has earmarked Rs. 20 crores for setting up Circuit Benches in north Karnataka.
New courts
H.K. Patil, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, said the common man still reposed faith in the judiciary although it has come under criticism for crossing the "Lakshman rekha" in recent times. Mr. Patil urged the legal and the judicial fraternity to help expedite the cases and pointed out that there are 14.5 lakh cases pending in the State. He said of the 11,627 prisoners in the State, 80 per cent were undertrials. He said the Government is committed to strengthen the Lok Adalats and proposed to open 100 new courts in the State to clear the pending cases. He said the role of witnesses is important in resolving cases and steps should be taken to protect the witnesses. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Judge, Supreme Court, and S.R. Nayak, Judge, Karnataka High Court, were present on the occasion.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2005, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
