IMPHAL, July 5: Saying that the post of Advocate General of the state has been lying vacant since October 2011, Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi on Thurday asked the government whether it considers the post unnecessary. Drawing the attention of the House, Dr Ibohalbi said a new building for the proposed separate High Court of the state had been inaugurated even as lawyers in the state are now on strike demanding appointment of judges from the state.
He pointed out that the public are encountering difficulties due to large number of pending cases in the state. For the High Court, two judges are now discharging their duties but in the case of lower courts, there is acute shortage of judges.
Presently, the state has only 27 APP and that is also on contract basis and that apart from shortage of APP, only five peons is provided to them and furthermore there are no ministerial staff and proper infrastructure for them, Dr Ibohalbi said while taking part in the in the discussion.
Replying to the question, Law minister Th Devendra admitted that the post of Advocate General was vacant just as the 10th Assembly was constituted and at the same time the result of the last state assembly elections was announced very late though though held early.
Later, the Law minister assured the House that the post of Advocate General will be filled up after completion of the ongoing assembly session.
As per decision taken by Indian government, official notifications have been issued in some states in Northeast regarding setting up of their separate High Courts, Devendra said that appointment of judges from the state for the proposed separate High Court of Manipur will be kept as an option and that the state government cannot interfere the matter as of now.
Devendra added that the guideline that every district should has a judge will be implemented clarifying that having a lot of pending cases is due to shortage of judges.
He also acknowledged the fact that there is only one Family Court in the state and that of NDPS also has a single court.
Proposal for establishing fast track courts in the state will be put before the state Cabinet for discussion to help solve the problem of pending cases, the Law minister assured.