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Title: Need to set up a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court in Western Orissa.
SHRI PRASANNA ACHARYA (SAMBALPUR):Western Orissa comprises of 11 districts having one language and social and cultural affinity. This region is socially and economically extremely backward with high percentage of SC & ST population. People living below poverty line in this area is highest. Apart from being neglected in many sectors, the people of the area also feel neglected in regard to deliverance of justice at their doorstep contrary to the accepted policy of Govt. of India of ‘justice at the door’. The Orissa High Court which is located at Cuttack is far away from the Distts. of Western Orissa and because of acute poverty and other related reasons people of this zone are not able to approach th(~ High Court at Cuttack all the time resulting in heavy decline of cases from this area at the level of the Apex Court in the State level. Hardly 10 15% of the litigant public of Western Orissa are able to approach the High Court under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India whereas it is just the reverse in case of people living in coastal Orissa. In civil ‘and criminal cases also, people of this region are not able to reach the forum of the High Court. Considering the aforesaid reasons, different Bar Associations of Western Orissa have been jointly demanding for establishment of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court at any place in Western Orissa, obviously within the area coming under the jurisdiction of Western Orissa Development Council.
The Jaswant Singh Commission constituted by Govt. of India to go in to the justification and necessity for establishment of permanent bench of High Court in a place other than the permanent place of sitting of High Court has spelt out certain guidelines. The demand for setting up of a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in Western Orissa satisfies most of the provisions prescribed in the guidelines. In the meantime , permanent bench and Circuit Court of different High Courts in the country have been set up in different States bout the demand of the lawyers, litigants and the general public for a permanent High Court bench in Western Orissa has not been met. I would, therefore, urge upon the, Union Government to take necessary steps in consultation with the State Govt., Hon. High Court of Orissa and the Hon. Supreme Court to set up a permanent bench of High Court at any-,place in Western Orissa