My Farewell Speech !
The High court has maintained good relationship and co-ordination with the Government throughout my tenure and I appreciate the response and support extended by the Government by issuing various orders pertaining to Judiciary. I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention and appreciate the nice gesture on the part of the government in sanctioning, despite so many constraints, the Regional Centre of the ICADR, Computerisation of the High Court and sub-ordinate judiciary (for subordinate Courts alone a sum of Rs. 16.5 crores has been set apart, a sum of Rs. 90.33 lakhs was released during the year 2004, and Rs. 2 crores have been allotted in the budget for 2004-05 and computerization of City Civil Courts will be undertaken at a total cost of Rs. 2.3 Crores under the Central Scheme). The Judges Library was inaugurated by Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, Judge, Supreme Court of India, on 28.8.2004, thereafter High Court library for advocates was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi on 22.9.2004 which is in addition to the Judges wing and will enable about 100 advocates at a time to sit and utilize library. A Guest House for Judges has been inaugurated in presence of Chief Minister on 20.9.2004. During this period, 16 District Courts, 93 Fast Track Courts, 62 new Courts – 16 District Courts, 20 Civil Judge (Sr. Div.) Courts and 26 Civil Judge (Jr. Div) have been sanctioned of them 33 are working and 29 are in the process of functioning. That apart, we have recommended for establishment of 73 Courts which is pending with Government. The Government has taken note that the Court is not like any other department of the Government but is on a higher pedestal. Government has also permitted the High court to make rules for recruitment of first Division and Second Division assistants required for the judicial department, by the High court instead of Karnataka Public Service Commission. They have also decided to give financial autonomy to the High Court by opening a Pay and Accounts Department, which will help in proper maintenance of accounts with internal audit system and ensure transactions without undue delay. Efforts are being made to set up courts in the Jail premises and also to start a unit of Government Printing Press in the High Court premises in the same way as has been done in Tamil Nadu. That would expedite the disposal of cases. Video conferencing has been introduced in important centers like Banglore and Mysore to enable the Courts to proceed with matters without necessity of the physical production of under trail prisoners. On 16.9.2004, foundation was laid for five development projects in City Civil Courts precincts at a cost of Rs. 6.75 crores. I am happy to acknowledge with gratitude the decision of the Government to set apart a place for the construction of a building for a regional office of the ICADR near the judicial Academy. I also acknowledge with gratitude the Karnataka Governments leading role in issuing necessary Government Orders and in showing the gesture by providing one servant, and telephone and medical facility for the retired Judges to maintain a peaceful life with such status after their retirement from constitutional posts. I am also awaiting some orders/ G.O. for establishing Courts at Double road and allotment of land for construction of residential quarters for High Court Judges.
A A regarding establishment of a Bench of the High Court in North Karnataka, I have already expressed my opinion earlier. However, now Government has proposed to set up Circuit Benches. The matter can be considered in accordance with law with the settled norms in the interest of public at large.
I am thankful to the Government of Karnataka and in particular to the former
Chief Minister Sri S.M. Krishna, the present Chief Minister Sri Dharam Singh, Deputy
Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaih, PWD Minister Sri H.R.Revanna, Sri K.K. Misra, Chief
Secretary, Sri K.P. Pandey, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Finance Secretary,
Sri Ajar gore, Additional chief Secretary Sri Brahma dutt, Principal Home Secretary,
Sri. S.V. Rangnath, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Director General
of Police, former Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and
their staff, and appreciate the interest taken by them towards the Judiciary.
Cont...
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