Bhubaneswar: Strongly supporting the agitating lawyers’ demand for a High Court bench in Sambalpur, leader of opposition and BJP stalwart Jayanarayan Mishra on Tuesday held Odisha’s BJD government responsible for the ugly situation during advocate’s stir.
In view of the rising population and multiplying court cases, the number of judges should be increased and the Orissa High Court needs to have a permanent bench, he said.
Blaming the state government for the unpleasant situation that cropped up during the ‘Satyagraha’ by lawyers in Sambalpur on Monday, the senior BJP leader said the state is yet to send a concrete proposal to the Centre for setting up of a High court bench.
“The state government is fully responsible for the situation. No concrete proposal has been sent by it for the purpose of establishing a permanent bench of the High Court,” he told reporters.
Stating that the Centre is clear on the issue, Mishra said as soon as the state government gives a concrete proposal specifying the place for establishment of High Court bench, the Centre will take appropriate steps in this regard.
Noting that there is tremendous pressure on the High Court due to ever increasing case load, the senior BJP leader said more benches are required for reducing the burden and speedy disposal of cases.
Asserting that he is very much part of the lawyers’ agitation, Mishra saidi the stir will be intensified in future.
Voicing similar views, veteran Congress leader and Jatnii MLA Suresh Routray said the Centre, Supreme Court, Odisha government and Orissa High Court should tke immediate steps to resolve the issue.
Stating that at least two permanent benches of the Orissa High Court need to be set up, Routray said one bench should be established in western Odisha and another in Bhubaneswar to ensure speedy disposal of cases.
