SHIMLA  30 June:

The State Government would provide all possible help for improving the judicial delivery system in the State as it was the constitutional duty of the State to administer justice to its citizens. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while inaugurating the administrative block of Judicial Academy at Ghandal near Shimla today. This building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 81 crore.

He said that Himachal Pradesh can boast of an honest and hardworking judiciary as the State Judiciary had only 5.96 percent of cases pending for more than five years out of total pendency of 206727 in the year 2016. He said that even the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its report published in 2016 relating to the Subordinate Courts in India had stated that except North East States, Himachal Pradesh happens to be the most productive State with respect to old cases.

Jai Ram Thakur said that since democracy was not only based on the sovereignty of the people but was also reflected in the Constitution that the judiciary, as the third pillar of the State, had an important role in protecting the constitution and democracy. He said that the legislative, the executive and the judiciary were the very base of any democracy and it was essential that all the three branches have eternal harmony for a robust democracy.

He said that the government has been liberal in extending all sought of help to raise this wonderful edifice. He said an amount of Rs 165 crore has already been sanctioned for the construction of the Academy.

 Jai Ram Thakur expressed hope that the Academy would deliver and disseminate judicial knowledge to one and all and also help in propagating the concept of social justice as it is constitutional, fundamental and economic imperative in today’s world.

The Chief Minister said that this complex and Academy would surely emerge as one of the major attraction in the State. He said that world over Himachal Pradesh was known as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ for its peace-loving people, but still some untoward incidents do happen. He said that Judiciary in the State was known for its honesty and dedication and both legislative and Judiciary work with the common cause of serving the people of the State in a befitting manner. He said that legislative has a duty to provide social justice to the people and the judiciary is the mode to do so. He said that one should be law abiding and ensure that our every deed and action should be within the ambit of the law.

Jai Ram Thakur said that we all should work collectively for making our society progressive, law abiding and peace loving for which cooperation and support of judiciary was also solicited. He said that one should be open to learn new ideas, initiatives and new visions. He said that the State Government would welcome suggestions for the judiciary for betterment of the State for providing good governance to the people.

Judge of Supreme Court of India and former Chief Justice of HP High Court Justice Kurian Joseph said that the Judicial Academy was located in a salubrious and serene setting. He said that the State was known throughout the world as beautiful State with immense tourism potential. He said that he was happy to know that the State Government was committed to fully harness this potential.

He said that the Academy would prove to be a best institution for the advocates for updating their knowledge. He said that for best Justice delivery system, it was essential that the advocates were not only intellectually sharp but also socially enlightened and the Academy would help in achieving this objective. He said that regular workshops, conferences and seminars should be held to ensure that the judicial officers and advocates were updated and enlightened about latest knowledge. He said that regular training programme for lawyers was also the need of the hour.

Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary, Justice HP High Court and President Judicial Academy welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion. While welcoming the Judge Supreme Court of India Justice Kurian Joseph he said that it was during his tenure as the Chief Justice of the State High Court that the Judiciary starting interactions with the common public. He said that the Judicial Academy would go a long way in providing world class facilities to the Law students, advocates and legal experts.

Judge H.P. High Court Justice Trilok Singh Chauhan while presenting vote of thanks said that the construction of the Academy was only possible but of the wholehearted support of the State Government.

Judges of HP High Court Justice Sureshwar Thakur, Justice Vivek Singh, Justice Ajay Mohan Goyal, Justice Sandeep Sharma and Justice Chandra Bhushan Bharowalia, Chairperson Gujarat Human Rights Commission Justice Abhilasha Kumari, retired judges of HP High Court, members of the Bar Council, Mayor Kusum Sadret, Advocate General Ashok Sharma, senior advocates were present on the occasion among others.