Patnaik advised to consult Orissa CJ on permanent benches

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has suggested Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to consult the Orissa high court chief justice in regard to the proposed establishment of permanent benches of the high court in western and southern parts of the state.

Once the state government along with the high court communicate their clear views, the union government will take necessary action in this matter, the union law and justice minister said in a letter to Patnaik.

I once again request you to have the necessary consultation with the Hob'ble Chief Justice of the Orissa high Court and work out the details of the proposed Bench(es)," Ravi Shankar wrote.

It is imperative that the chief justice is consulted and recommendations of the Orissa High Court is obtained before setting up any bench(es) of the high court in the state, he said adding the same process is followed in the case of all other high courts.

Prasad said, "It goes without saying that once the recommendations of the High Court are obtained, the state government has to provide the requisite infrastructure immediately".

Patnaik had in a letter to Prasad on January 11 urged the Centre to take early decision regarding establishment of permanent benches of Orissa high court in the western and southern parts of the state to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

The letter was sent in view of the overwhelming public demand for establishment of permanent benches of the high court in western and southern Odisha as people are persistently agitating for the same.

The agitations have affected the functioning of courts and other government offices in these regions, Patnaik had said in the letter.