Govt committed to providing access to justice for citizens: CM

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the state government is strongly committed to achieve the Constitutional goal of providing access to justice for the citizens. 

The Chief Minister said this at the inauguration of the new court building of Civil Judge Junior Division-cum-JMFC at Hinjilicut in Ganjam district. 

The court was inaugurated jointly by Naveen Patnaik and Chief Justice of Odisha High Court Justice Mohammad Rafiq on virtual platform. 

Congratulating the people of Hinjili for the new court, the Chief Minister said that Right to Justice is a fundamental right and his Government is committed to strengthen the justice delivery system. 

Patnaik said that despite the constraints of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the government has recently established four new courts in the state to decide commercial disputes. 

He also added that 45 courts have recently been established to exclusively try offences against women. 

He added that the Government is working closely with the High Court to provide adequate funds for developing infrastructure to meet the requirements of judiciary.

Maintaining that the Government is committed to protect the interests of lawyer community, he informed that the annual grant by the government to the “Odisha Advocates’ Welfare Fund” has recently been enhanced from Rs.3 crore to Rs.5 crore. 

He added that the Government has taken the initiative of amending the provisions of Odisha Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 1961 to permit usage of such funds to provide financial assistance to the lawyers.

He hoped that the new infra will go a long way in fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of Odisha High Court Justice Mohammad Rafiq thanked the State Government for providing the land for the new court building at Hinjilicut. 

The building is magnificent, attractive and has all the infrastructure provisions to facilitate justice system, he added. 

The Chief Justice said that quick redressal of justice is significant for an effective justice system. 

He further said that despite the restrictions posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the courts in Odisha are committed to provide justice to people. 

He informed that the Odisha High Court has disposed nearly 40 thousand cases by December 14, 2020.

Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra appreciated the Chief Minister’s efforts for an inclusive society and said that the new court building will help in taking the justice system to the door steps of the people.  

Ganjam Collector welcomed the guests and President of Hinjilicut Bar Association offered vote of thanks.