Infrastructure development activities like construction, repair and renovation of court rooms across the State have received a setback as funds flow from the Centre has been halted.
While much emphasis is given on development of infrastructural facilities of the court buildings in the State, the share of the Centre is not released till date though there is hardly two months left in this fiscal year.
The State Government has made budgetary provision of Rs100 crore for the Financial Year 2018-19 from its own resources to take up infrastructure development of the court buildings.
This was to be done under Centrally Sponsored Scheme and the programme is funded on 60:40 basis. The Union Government is supposed to release its share in phases from April onwards.
However, till date the Central share has not been received by the State Government, admitted a senior officer in Department of Home.
Looking at the requirement, the State Government had submitted an action plan of Rs 50 crore, while making budgetary allocation for this fiscal.
Though the budget allocation was made in anticipation that the Union Government will release its share, but as funds flow from the Centre is not forthcoming, taking up project work is posing a problem, admitted officials.
In order to ensure speedy justice, there is an urgent need for court buildings to be set up in rural areas of the State.
The State Government has impressed upon the Union Government to consider releasing more funds for opening more Gram Nyayalayas in the State and construction of such court buildings in rural pockets of the State will ensure speedy justice, officials said.
Another issue like establishment of special courts is bothering the State due to funds constraints. The Government of India has been asking the State Government for establishment of special and designated courts under various Central Acts and Rules.
The High Court of Orissa is placing proposals for creation of posts and manpower to that effect. However, with limited resources available with the State Government such proposals are difficult to implement.
Under the backdrop, the Union Government has been impressed upon to make provision for funds for both manpower and infrastructure development of the judiciary, said sources.
From time to time by the directions of Supreme Court of India on different interlocutory applications, the State Government is constrained to find recourses for compliance of the orders and directions of the apex court, officials admitted.
Accordingly, the Union Government has been impressed upon to provide recurring and non recurring expenditure in the event of appointment of adhoc judges for downsizing the burgeoning number of pending cases.