HYDERABAD: Union Law Minister H.R. Bharadwaj on Wednesday announced the sanction of two posts of permanent judges and 25 additional judges for the State High Court, taking their strength to 66.

This was disclosed by Law Minister Konathala Ramakrishna at end of a day-long Law Ministers and Law Secretaries' conference which was inaugurated by Mr. Bharadwaj. He said the Union Minister had made the announcement while intervening during the course of interaction with Ministers from States.

Chief Justice of the High Court G.S. Singhvi, delivering the key-note address at the valedictory session of the conference, said during the last two decades, like other organs of the State, justice delivery system had also come under serious scrutiny and received unwarranted criticism from different quarters that this system has failed to deliver the goods.

The issue of large arrears and delay in the disposal of cases was being debated in various fora including the legislature, judiciary and even the public. "Constant adverse media publicity has created an impression that the system has failed to deliver goods on account of delays in disposal of cases. Unfortunately, no effort has been made to erase this impression.

"It is, therefore, apposite that all concerned must make a joint and concerted effort to ensure that the people's confidence on the system does not get eroded further. For this purpose we have to adopt multi-pronged strategies", he observed

Judiciary autonomy

Referring to financial autonomy to judiciary, he said that grant of total freedom to the institution in the matter of spending was not that important.

What was imperative was that the State must consciously respond to the need of infrastructural improvement and increase of manpower which are "sine qua non" for improving the system and making it more responsive and accountable.

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