Bhubaneswar: Our government is strongly committed to achieve the Constitutional goal of providing access to justice for the citizens. Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik said this today at the inauguration of the new court building of Civil Judge Junior Division-cum-JMFC at Hinjilicut.
The court was inaugurated jointly by Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and Chief Justice of Odisha High Court Mr.Justice Mohammed Rafiq on virtual platform. Congratulating the people of Hinjili for the new court, the Chief Minister said that Right to Justice is a fundamental right and his Government is committed to strengthen the justice delivery system.
Shri Patnaik said that despite the constraints of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the government has recently established four new courts in the state to decide commercial disputes. He also added that 45 courts have recently been established to exclusively try offences against women.
He added that the Government is working closely with the High Court to provide adequate funds for developing infrastructure to meet the requirements of judiciary.
Speaking that the Government is committed to protect the interests of lawyer community, he informed that the annual grant by the government to the “Odisha Advocates’ Welfare Fund” has recently been enhanced from Rs.3 crore to Rs.5 crore.
He added that the Government has taken the initiative of amending the provisions of Odisha Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 1961 to permit usage of such funds to provide financial assistance to the lawyers.
He hoped that the new infra will go a long way in fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of Odisha High Court Hon’ble Justice Mohammed Rafiq thanked the State Government for providing the land for the new court building at Hinjilicut. The building is magnificent, attractive and has all the infrastructure provisions to facilitate justice system, he added.
The Chief Justice said that quick redressal of justice is significant for an effective justice system. He further said that despite the restrictions posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the courts in Odisha are committed to provide justice to people. He informed that the Odisha High Court has disposed nearly 40 thousand cases by December 14, 2020.
Minister of State for Home Shri Dibya Shankar Mishra appreciated the Chief Minister’s efforts for an inclusive society and said that the new court building will help in taking the justice system to the door steps of the people. Ganjam Collector welcomed the guests and President of Hinjilicut Bar Association offered vote of thanks.
Among others, Justice Biswajit Mohanty, Judge of Odisha High Court, MP Smt. Pramila Bisoi, Development Commissioner Shri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Principal Secretary Home Shri Sanjeev Chopra and Secretary Law Shri Sashikanta Mishra.Secretary to Chief Minister (5-T) Shri V.K. Pandian moderated the programme.
