Karnataka seeks financial aid to improve judicial infra

Karnataka has sought substantial financial support for improving judicial infrastructure in the State.

Speaking at the joint conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that with the 14th Finance Commission having recommended 42 per cent of the net taxable revenue of the Centre to be apportioned among the States, Karnataka’s share in the divisible pool for 2015-16 will be ₹24,790 crore from the Central share taxes.

“However, due to large reduction in the Centrally sponsored schemes grants (from ₹16,626 crore in 2014-15 to ₹8,146 crore in 2015-16), the State government has not got any additional flexible amount. Hence, I request the Union Government to provide substantial support,” he added.

The State government, in its submission to the 14th Finance Commission, had sought grants of ₹4,461 crore for improving the judicial infrastructure in the State that included doubling the number of judges/courts, State Judicial Academy, training of judicial officers, public prosecutors and court managers.

The Commission has not recommended grant-in-aid to the States, but has urged the State governments to use the additional fiscal space provided by it in the tax devolution.

The Chief Minister said, “I would like to place before this esteemed gathering that both the State government and the High Court of Karnataka are not in favour of creating All India Judicial Services in the State and this stand has already been communicated to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.”

Realising the need to evolve a uniform procedure for appointment of District Judges, the State Bar Council and the State Judicial Academy ought to motivate young and budding lawyers as well as in-service judicial officers for appointment to the post of district judges by conducting suitable orientation workshops.

The State budget has earmarked ₹60 lakh for imparting training to young lawyers at divisional level. There are about 1.28 lakh cases relating to dishonour of cheques and about 64,000 motor vehicle accident claim cases in the State.

The State government is looking forward to the proposed legislation that provides for settlement of matters related to dishonour of cheques under the Negotiable Instruments Act through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism of permanent Lok Adalats and expeditious disposal of motor vehicle accident claim cases under the provisions of the draft Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2014, said chief minister.

The State government has established 10 Special Fast Track Courts to deal with the cases pertaining to women and children and provide speedy justice to the victims, besides, punishing the culprits.

To increase in strength and filling up of vacancies in high courts, the Chief Minister said the total sanctioned strength of the Karnataka High Court (permanent and additional judges), has gone up from 50 to 62, an increase of 25 per cent in deference to the resolution made in the previous joint conference.