The Sambalpur District Bar Association has failed to take a final call on the fate of the ongoing cease work agitation in the district and left it to the social organisations to take a decision. The general body of the association which met here failed to come to a consensus as the members gave divergent views.
The meeting chaired by its president Brijendriya Pradhan said the State Government has allotted Rs 5 crore for the establishment of the bench of the Orissa High Court in western and southern Odisha. The State Government had also informed to the Central Action Committee (CAC) through the Collector, Sambalpur, about it.
Some of the lawyers opined that only allotment of funds will not help in fulfilling the demand of establishment of bench. On the other hand, many lawyers have narrated the plight of the people as the entire administrative offices and judiciary have remained closed since September 5 last.
The biggest ever agitation of the lawyers has reached 160 days compounding the plight of the people as the total administration, including the Sambalpur Muncipal Corporation (SMC) and office of the Revenue Divisional Commission (RDC) have been closed due to the agitation and dharna in front of these offices.
The State Government has lost huge revenue due to closure of Tehsil, Registration office and Co-operative offices for quite a long period.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written three letters since 2013 to the Union Law and Justice Minister requesting the Centre to take steps for establishment of benches in western and southern Odisha. He had also mentioned that the State was prepared to provide infrastructure like land, building and salary to the staff members, besides meeting other requirements.
Meanwhile, a delegation of MLAs of western Odisha met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat and requested him to take up the matter with the Union Government. The office bearers of the Sambalpur Bar Association also met the CM during the visit to Sambalpur on February 1 and requested him to keep financial provision in the budget for the benches and take up the issue seriously.