Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and the Odisha high court chief justice Mohammed Rafiq jointly inaugurated the new civil judge court building at Hinjilicut in Ganjam district.
Speaking on this occasion, the chief minister said his
government is strongly committed to achieve the Constitutional goal of providing access to justice for the citizens.
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.
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.
Speaking on the occasion, chief 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 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 Pramila Bisoi, development commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, principal secretary home Sanjeev Chopra and secretary law Sashikanta Mishra.
Secretary to chief minister (5-T) V.K. Pandian moderated the programme.
