Bihar seeks funds from Centre to strengthen judicial system

Bihar today sought financial assistance from the Centre to strengthen the state's judicial system through increasing the number of judicial officers and non-gazetted employees and expanding infrastructure.
At the joint conference of Chief Justices of the 24 High Courts and Chief Ministers, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his being a "resource poor" state, it needs financial help from the Centre to strengthen the judicial system.
"There is need of funds for increasing the number of judicial officers and non-gazetted employees and to expand the basic infrastructure of judiciary. A resource-poor state like Bihar is facing problems to fulfil the same with its own resources. It is important to increase financial help under 14th Finance Commission," Kumar said.

"It is being felt that 75 per cent cooperation of the central government is necessary for providing adequate compensation to persons affected by criminal offences under atrocities compensation scheme through Legal Services Authority," he said.
Kumar also sought the Centre's support in providing various facilities to advocates under the 14th Finance Commission.
"Bihar is resource poor state. In spite of all our efforts the state cannot achieve expected result without the help of the Centre. We need required financial help from the central government for strengthening the judicial system," he said.

Kumar said the budget provision for setting up of village courts is insufficient due to which construction of building for office and residence of judges had become "impossible".

In the year 2014, total 3,05,570 cases have been disposed by subordinate courts. At the same time, total 81,449 cases have been disposed by the High Court.
He said Bihar has started speedy trial of the serious cases like kidnapping, arms act, robbery and other serious criminal cases from 2006 under which 92,652 guilty persons have been punished till 2014.