JUSTICE FOR THE POOR, THE UNDER PREVILEGED AND THE WOMEN NEEDS TO BE PRIORITISED – PRIME MINISTER MAKES APPEAL
Port Blair/ New Delhi, Apr 06: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in his inaugural address in the Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Court held at New Delhi on April 05, 2015 noted that poverty cannot be viewed as a virtue and that development and economic empowerment must be made available to all sections of the society. He further noted that justice should be rendered in an expeditious and affordable manner especially for the poor, the under privileged and the women by building appropriate mechanism within the judiciary.
Prime Minister observed that while law is greater than king, justice is the king of kings and therefore justice and its instruments cannot be allowed to be compromised. However, there should be inbuilt checks and balances within each of the institutions of democracy to carry out the assigned roles properly. Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop laws relating to cyber crimes and for developing the forensic science in all the States/UTs. Prime Minister informed that about Rs. 9,700 crore has been awarded by the 14th Finance Commission for the development of infrastructure of courts in various States and for strengthening the judiciary. He assured that the Central Government will extend the required financial support to the State/UTs towards reaching the goal of “Justice for all”.
The Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices reviewed the action taken on decisions taken in the previous Conference held on 7th April 2013. Various issues relating to all the 24 High Courts of the country were jointly reviewed by the Chief Ministers and Chief Justices in the presence of Chief Justice of India and the Minister of Law and Justice, Government of India. The Conference resolved that States/UTs would set up a special mechanism to periodically monitor the progress of infrastructure projects and proposals to strengthen the judiciary.
Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. General (Retd) AK Singh attended the Conference along with Law Secretary and briefed on the important issues relating to the Islands, like creation of family court, special court to try the cases relating to prevention of corruption, expeditious disposal of cases registered under PAT Regulation etc. On the side of the Conference, the Lt. Governor called on the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court and requested her to pay a visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands to sort out pending issues relating to judiciary.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice HL Dattu, Chief Justice of India delivered key note address and Shri DV Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Law and Justice welcomed the gathering.
