leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra and many MlAs belonging to the ruling BJD and opposition Congress and BJP on Tuesday demanded in the State Assembly that the proposed High Court Circuit Bench be established in their respective regions.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, the leader of Opposition said the Union Government has agreed to Jaswant Singh Committee Report to establish High Court Circuit Benches in States. As per the rules, the Union Government and High Court of a concerned State would decide where the bench to be established. While lawyers and people have been demanding a Permanent Bench of the Orissa High Court be set up in Balangir, Union Minister made a statement recently that the bench would be established in Sambalpur. It is not wise on part of the Union Minister to make such a statement when Balangir fulfils all criteria to have a bench. He demanded that the bench be set up in Balangir.
BJP lagislature Party leader KV Singh Deo too joined Mishra in placing the same demand. He said Balangir disserves a HC Bench from all considerations. Union Minister Pradhan might have given his personal opinion, he said.
While Congress MlA Naba Kishore Das it would be better if a bench is established in Jharsuguda, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinpati demanded that a bench come up at Jeypore. Ruling party MlAs Surjya Narayan Patro and Dr Ramesh Chandra Chyaupatnaik demanded that a bench be established at Brahmapur. Similarly, ruling party MlA Dibya Shankar Mishra and Dr Raseswari Panigrahi demanded that a bench be set up in Kalahandi and Sambalpur, respectively.