Patnaik urges Centre to take early decision on HC benches

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday urged the Centre to take early decision regarding establishment of permanent benches of Orissa High Court in western and southern parts of the state to fulfil the aspiration of of the people.

"I would request you that an early decision regarding establishment of permanent benches of High Court in Western and Southern Odisha be taken by the Government of India to fulfil the aspiration of these regions," Patnaik wrote to Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Patnaik in the letter mentioned that there is an 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 agitation have often affected the functioning of court and other government offices in these regions," he said.

Patnaik mentioned that while the state government is aware of various decisions of the Supreme Court as well as the recommendations of the Justice Jaswant Singh Commission for establishment of the Bench of a High Court away from its principal seat, it is also a fact that the Centre has the authority to decide about creation of separate benches of high court other than the principal seat.

Patnaik said the state government will provide all support for the purpose. "I would like to reaffirm the commitment of the state government that we will provide all requisite resources for establishment of high court benches in these areas," Patnaik said.

The chief minister also reminded the Union Minister regarding his earlier letter in this regard in 2013, 2014 and 2018. "There is more than adequate justification for establishment of permanent high court benches in these regions," Pataik said.