Centre plans 850 rural courts

The Central government is planning to set up 850 rural courts across the country over the next two years. Disclosing this in Dharwad on Sunday Union Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily said rural courts will be set up to facilitate the villagers get justice at their doorsteps. Apart from this, the government will also initiate measures to implement mobile courts to ensure quick disposal of the pending cases.

Speaking to reporters, Moily who was here to participate in a function at a local law college, said the decision to set up courts in the rural areas was taken following complaints from villagers that they were finding it physically and financially difficult to travel to cities and attend courts.

“This is an innovative move by the Union government to provide justice to the poor petitioners in rural parts of India. These courts will be functional in next two years,” he asserted.

Regarding converting the high court circuit benches in Dharwad and Gulbarga into permanent benches, Moily said, the government has sought a re-confirmation letter from the chief minister and chief justice of Karnataka high court. Once the state government and high court re-confirms the proposal the Union government would go ahead with appointment of the required number of judges.

He said the government was seriously thinking on bringing in electoral reforms, in the country. “People have lost faith in the present election process and have charged that money and power are at work during election. Hence, the time has come to bring electoral reforms soon,” he said.