The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : New court buildings to have better facilities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 22, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

New court buildings to have better facilities

Staff Reporter

Vacancies of judge will be filled: Basavaraj Horatti

IN CONVERSATION: P Vishwanath Shetty (left), High Court judge, along with Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph at a function organised by the Advocates Association in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: K Murali Kumar

Bangalore: Law Minister Basavaraj Horatti said here on Friday that the new court buildings coming up in the State would have better facilities for judges, lawyers and litigants. In the city civil courts complex itself, the Government had spent Rs. 15 crore for improving facilities, he said. He was speaking at a function to bid farewell to retiring High Court judge P. Vishwanath Shetty. It was also the annual day of the Advocates Association, Bangalore.

On filling vacancies on the Bench, Mr. Horatti said: "The Government is at it, there are no financial constraints now. As soon as the High Court sends proposals, we will ensure that 50 per cent of vacancies are filled immediately. In due course all vacancies will be filled.''

Following amendments to the rules, it was now possible for the Government to allocate space within the court premises to build advocates' chambers, in all district courts; earlier the High Court had to approve sanction of space. The High Court had now come forward to allocate whatever land was available, if the Government decided to provide accommodation for the lawyers, Mr. Horatti said. Deputy commissioners had asked to identify the land. The MPs and MLAs would also be involved, possibly using their local area development funds, he hinted. The Government would consider enhancing the stipend for young advocates from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 per month, by next year.

Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph expressed concern over the "diminishing democratic spirit among lawyers" in managing the affairs of their associations. "These associations are not holding elections or viewing the outcome of elections in the right spirit and many lawyers are unable to speak out their mind. Lawyers should set an example for democratic practices and be more tolerant. If the Bar is united they can get their work done faster," he remarked.

The Government was quite sympathetic to the problems of lawyers and "with a responsive Government in power'' all their genuine requests would be attended soon, the Chief Justice said. Referring to the retiring colleague, he said: "He is one of the eminent judges of the State who has contributed much, especially in innovative programmes for legal literacy among the public.'' An affectionate farewell was given to Mr. Vishwanath Shetty on the eve of his retirement.

Chairman of the Karnataka State Bar Council Y.R. Sadashiva Reddy read out a farewell address and lauded the services of Mr. Shetty in the field of legal services. He said the work of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority received a fillip during Mr. Shetty's tenure as chairman.

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