HC direction to central, state govts

The Madras High Court has directed the Central and State Governments to increase the allocation of funds to Tamil Nadu Judiciary.
In its interim order, the court said "Tamil Nadu is a large state with various Court complexes and a number of them have aged, requiring repairs and expansion as per the current needs. It would be appropriate that the Central Government considers a larger allocation for the year 2016-17."
The court, after perusing the affidavit filed on behalf of the State Law Secretary, said "We have perused the affidavit of the respondent. The issue of utilization certificate, for the full amount of funds both for the Central Government and State Government contribution for the year 2013-2014 is over. Apart from this for the year 2016-2017, a sum of Rs.50 crore has also been released, to be utilized for the state centrally sponsored scheme."

While referring to the funds transferred from the state to the central pool as it was not utilized for year 2015-16, the court, in its order, said a pragmatic view ought to be taken for release of those funds or in the alternative, they can be made up through an additional allocation in 2016-2017 depending on the requirements or the financial arrangement.
The bench expressed concern over poor allocation of funds by the central government to the state for improving judicial infrastructure facilities.
It urged the central government to increase the allocation of funds for improving judicial infrastructure in the state and observed that the state government should understand the requirements of the judiciary while allotting funds.

The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan, then posted the matter for further hearing to August 3.
The bench gave the interim order when a PIL filed by an advocate seeking a direction to the state and central governments to comply with Supreme Court guidelines with regarding to infrastructure facilities to the Courts came up for hearing on Monday.