Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said there was a “national outrage” after the December 16 Delhi gang-rape, which was a wake up call for the nation, but “we must not allow ourselves to be overcome by a sense of despair”. Even Government had acted fast to amend the laws pertaining to crimes against women. “Notwithstanding the steps that have already been taken, a great deal more needs to be done as far as offences against women are concerned.” These views were expressed by the PM while addressing the conference of Chief Ministers and chief justices of High Courts in the National capital on Sunday. The conference, which was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and organised by Union Ministry of law and Justice and inaugurated by Singh.
In his address, CM Bahuguna said State Government is committed to make available speedy and accessible justice to people. State is very keen to play its role in the legal reforms which is why it is in constant touch with the Nainital High Court and resolves problems on a priority basis.
Despite having less number of pending cases in the State, the Government had made a 10 per cent increase in the posts in the legal service cadre and 23 new courts had also been set up in the State. State would cooperate with the High Court in the national judicial grid for E-Court Mission Mode project.
The State Government is committed to improve infrastructural facilities in courts and budget has already been allocated. A committee led by the Chief Secretary has been already been set up. High Court’s registrar is a member of the committee which will look into the availability of land for courts and for development of their infrastructure. In 2012-13, the State received Rs8.29 crore from the Central Government for improving infrastructure of courts.
As pendency of cases was relatively less in number; there was no proposal to set up rural courts in the state. Juvenile justice boards have been constituted in every district under the Juvenile Justice Act 2000. State Juvenile Homes are operational in Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Almora for boys and in Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri and Nainital for girls.
Other dignitaries including Union law Minister Dr Ashwani Kumar, Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir, Chief Ministers and law secretaries of all States as well as judges from the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of all 24 High Courts were present there.