Karnataka seeks Rs 5,258 crore to overhaul judiciary

Bengaluru: In a bid to improve the justice delivery system in the state, the Karnataka government has sought a Union government grant of Rs 5,258.37 crore.

Participating in the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of the High Courts in New Delhi on Sunday, Law Minister  T.B. Jayachandra alleged that the same issue was raised during the previous Joint Conference too but the Union government was yet to consider releasing the grant.

"The Karnataka High Court has identified 10 components for improving the justice delivery system in the state and a proposal has been submitted to the Union government seeking Rs 5258.37 Crore during the 14th Finance Commission period.

But the Finance Commission has not recommended grant-in-aid to the states, instead it has urged the state governments to use the additional fiscal space provided by it in tax devolution.  But, contrary to its recommendations, even the state share in the divisible pool has been drastically reduced despite the Commission recommending 42 per cent of the net taxable revenue of the union government," he observed.  

Mr Jayachandra wanted the process of filling up additional judges’ posts in Karnataka High Court to be expedited. "The state government has sent necessary recommendations for appointment of 13 Additional Judges- eight from District Judges cadre and five from the Advocates category," he said.

The minister said that  during 2015-16, 151 posts of Civil Judges and 13 posts of District Judges were filled up by direct recruitment. The process of appointment of 142 candidates to the posts of Civil Judge is under consideration of the state, he said.