The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab government to file a status report on ongoing construction work of all judicial complexes in the state and also about the action taken in releasing remaining funds for further construction.
The division bench comprising acting chief justice Jasbir Singh and justice Rakesh Kumar Jain issued the directions on a petition filed by advocate Sohan Singh Sanghera.
During resumed hearing of the case, Punjab's counsel sought time from the court to file a detailed reply, which the chief secretary was supposed to file on Friday. On this, the court said the judicial complex in Kapurthala was to be completed a year ago, but the construction was still under process.
"Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir had laid the foundation stone a year ago, but not even a single brick has been laid till date at Nakodar. Give us a detailed report," the court directed.
The bench also said, "You (Punjab) have to just give 25% of the funds and the rest you take from the Centre. But still you don't utilise the money."
Punjab seeks funds from Centre
The state government has sought the release of share from central funds for judicial complexes from 1993-94 onwards. Principal secretary, home and justice, DS Bains, in an official communication to the union secretary of law and justice, has said that Rs 389 crore are due from the central government in the ratio of 50:50 from 1993-94 to 2012-13 and 75:25 for 2012-13.
{{/usCountry}}The state government has sought the release of share from central funds for judicial complexes from 1993-94 onwards. Principal secretary, home and justice, DS Bains, in an official communication to the union secretary of law and justice, has said that Rs 389 crore are due from the central government in the ratio of 50:50 from 1993-94 to 2012-13 and 75:25 for 2012-13.
{{/usCountry}}The case would now come up for hearing on May 17.