Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: Highlighting the importance of coordination between the two main pillars viz Judiciary and Executive, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs and Relief & Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari said that for justice dispensation, it is important that the issues faced by the judicial officers are identified and addressed on priority so that their attention is not diverted towards issues other than justice dispensation.
He said this in the maiden meeting of the Law Department conveyed to review the functioning of the department with the officers at the Civil Secretariat.
Secretary Law, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Secretary, State Accountability Commission, Anita Koul, Registrar, State Information Commission, Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries besides, Senior and Public Law Officers from different departments, ALRs and Legal Assistants also attended the meeting.
The Minister said that the basic aim of the Law Department is to provide inexpensive and speedy justice to the people, at their door steps.
Making a pointed reference, the Minister said that the Law Department is the backbone of the Government, therefore, it is important that all its dimensions are streamlined and clear procedures set in place. “The road to development and prosperity goes through the Law Department as it acts as a support system giving legal opinions and recommendations to all other Government departments”, he said.
During the meeting, the Minister was apprised about various ongoing projects relating to construction of Judicial Infrastructure in the State including the construction of new Legislature Complex at Jammu, construction of District Court Complex at Mominabad Srinagar, construction of Lawyers Chamber at High Courts, construction of District Court Complex at Pulwama, Udhampur etc. The Minister said that he will make on spot inspection of these projects in due course of time and urged upon the executing agencies to complete the projects on schedule.
The Minister directed the concerned officers that legal cells should be created in each department so that the interests of the Government are well taken care of while defending various cases. In this respect, he said that he would also meet the concerned Administrative Secretaries so that the functioning of Law Officers deputed in different departments is streamlined and facilitated.
The Minister said that in order to improve the Government defence mechanism, periodic performance review of all Law Officers will be held, adding that alternate dispute resolution mechanism is required to be strengthened and people to be made aware so that they can be provided legal services.
The meeting was informed that various steps are being taken to reduce the pendency of cases. In this regard the recently created courts will be made functional so that people can avail the benefits.
Referring to the dearth of the staff in the department, Minister said that all vacant positions need to be filled and steps will be taken for creation of new posts, wherever required.
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