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Union Minister for steps to get Central funds

— Photo: C.Venkatachalapathy

(From left) Puducherry Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam, Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy, Lieutenant Governor Govind Singh Gurjar and Minister of State for Law and Justice K. Venkatapathy at a function at the new court complex in Puducherry on Sunday.

PUDUCHERRY: Union Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy has said that steps would be taken to obtain funds from the Union Law Ministry for the construction of the second phase of buildings at the new integrated court complex soon.

He was speaking at a function held on Sunday to mark the functioning of courts on the new court complex. While replying to Principal District and Sessions Judge, Puducherry, D. Krishnaraja, to allot funds under the Centrally-sponsored scheme for the construction works, Mr. Narayanasamy said, “Nearly Rs. 10 crore is required for the second phase. We will speak to the Union Law Minister and obtain the funds within the next month.”

Efforts would be made to enable advocates from Puducherry to appear in the Madras High Court, he added.

“The Union government has come up with a new scheme, Grama Gnanalayas, and has allocated Rs. 10,000 crore for the purpose. Nearly, 7,000 judges will be appointed under this plan,” Mr. Narayanasamy said.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice K. Venkatapathy told advocates not to boycott courts.

“Show your protest by wearing badges, adopting resolutions and sending them to the Union government. Do not boycott the courts as it will stop the works,” he said.

Following a request to set up a circuit bench of the Madras High Court in Puducherry, Mr. Venkatapathy said the demand should be pursued as there was nothing wrong in establishing a branch here. “Courts need basic infrastructure, including offices, officers, good surroundings and security for witnesses. The government can send a perspective plan for buildings for a period of 10 years. We have sent letters regarding this to all States. The government can write to us regarding details of buildings, estimated amount and period for completion of works. We are ready to allocate the required funds,” he said.

Lieutenant Governor Govind Singh Gurjar said that strikes by lawyers were a disturbing trend. He said that he would examine the demands of the advocates and do his best at the earliest.

Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam said that steps would be taken to computerise criminal records to keep track of the pending cases and expedite works.

“We have acquired land in Karaikal and will issue a Government Order soon. We will take over the land and hand it to the court,” he added.

Regarding a demand for stipend of Rs. 2,000 a month for junior advocates, he asked the Principal District and Sessions Judge to prepare a scheme and submit it to the government.

Mr. Justice Krishnaraja said Rs. 10.64 crore were required for the second phase of buildings at the court complex.

Senior advocates and advocates who had completed 25 years of practice were honoured on the occasion. Speaker of Legislative Assembly R. Radhakrishnan, Member of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry K. Ranganathan and president of Pondicherry Bar Association M. Nakkeeran were present.

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