The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear to the Punjab government that no ongoing construction of court complexes in the state should be stopped for want of money, and if more money is required it should be released immediately.
The division bench comprising justices Jasbir Singh and GS Sandhawalia made it clear that if a construction work is stopped for failure to release the money by the state government at any court complex, secretaries of finance and home departments would be directed to remain present in the court for explanation.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by advocate Sohan Singh Sanghera, the court was informed by the state government counsel that Rs 2.84 crore had been released on May 16 for construction of the headquarters building of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority.
The court was also informed that the state government had also released Rs 10 crore for the construction of judicial court complexes and houses of judicial officers for 2013-14.
The high court had already made it clear that the state governments were duty-bound to provide accommodation to the judicial offices for their proper functioning. Construction work of courts in Kapurthala and Nakodar are under process. As much as 75% of the funds for construction of court complexes are to be released by the Centre and the state government is responsible for releasing 25% of the amount.
{{/usCountry}}The high court had already made it clear that the state governments were duty-bound to provide accommodation to the judicial offices for their proper functioning. Construction work of courts in Kapurthala and Nakodar are under process. As much as 75% of the funds for construction of court complexes are to be released by the Centre and the state government is responsible for releasing 25% of the amount.
{{/usCountry}}The case has been adjourned for September 4 for monitoring further progress.