Rather seeks funds for creating Addl infrastructure for JK Courts

Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather met Union Minister for Law and Justice, Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, here today and requested for augmenting infrastructure for J&K courts.

During the meeting, Mr. Rather told Mr. Moily that J&K has suffered a lot due to turmoil witnessed during the last 20 years resulting in heavy damage to infrastructure.

The State Law Minister said the government in 2008 created 12 more Courts of District and Session Judges along with support staff. He said the status of court buildings and residential quarters for Presiding Officers outside two capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu was far from satisfactory. “The Districts Court buildings, residential quarters and other support infrastructure are not satisfactory as annual allocation made out of State resources is by no means matching the demand,” he told Union Law Minister.

Mr. Rather asked for adequate funds for construction of District Court Complexes at Jammu and Srinagar to the tune of Rs. 63 crore. He further said that several other courts are functioning out of rented buildings which are neither safe nor congenial for discharge of judicial functions.

While requesting for need to have more courts and judges’ chambers in each wing of the High Court, the State Minister said, “In several Courts, there are no litigant sheds, lawyers’ chambers, judicial lock-ups and sheds for petitions writers. There are only seven courts and seven chambers in each wing of the High Court when its total strength is 14.”

Mr. Rather also informed Mr. Moily that the District Courts need to be fully computerized and connected with Subordinate Courts for achieving efficiency and effectiveness in resolving problems being faced in speedy administration of justice. He also brought to the notice of the Union Minister issues related to his ministry.

The Union Law Minister assured Mr. Rather that all these demands would be considered on priority and necessary orders issued at the earliest.

Describing Mr. Moily as a seasoned and experienced person, Mr. Rather also congratulated him for taking over charge of Union Law Ministry.