Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Majhi on Tuesday clarified that a proposal to establish a bench of the Orissa high court is currently under his govt’s consideration.
The remark came a day after his written statement in the assembly stating that there was no justification for a new HC bench drew criticism from political circles.
Speaking about the HC bench issue during zero hour, Majhi said, “Our govt is committed to providing speedy justice to the people and delivering services at people’s doorsteps.The issue of establishment of a high court bench is under active consideration of our govt.”
The CM said his previous written statement in response to a question was based on the Supreme Court’s observation on the issue.
BJD MLAs Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo and Manohar Randhari, who had asked govt about the HC bench proposals, said the CM should clarify further on when it plans to establish the bench.
“Govt should take concrete steps to establish the bench, particularly in Balangir, which had a bench of the HC before Independence,” Kalikesh added.
He said the SC observation on the ‘no need for new HC bench’ comment was in the context of lawyers’ agitation in Sambalpur then. “Govt should fix a timeline to establish the HC bench and ensure accessible justice delivery to people of western Odisha,” he added.
BJP MLA Laxman Bag said there should not be any confusion left in anybody’s mind regarding the govt’s intention after the CM clarified on the issue.
“I am sure the state cabinet will take an appropriate decision on the matter, keeping in mind everyone’s welfare,” he said.
While BJP had been vocal in pressing for an HC bench, the CM citing Supreme Court observations had said the establishment of a new HC bench had no justification.
While opposition BJD and Congress had criticised Majhi’s Monday statement, senior BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra had said that BJP has continued to stick to its demand for an HC bench in western Odisha.
SC in Dec 2022 had observed that demand for an Orissa HC bench had become obsolete due to the passage of time and technological advancements while hearing matters relating to the lawyers’ ‘violent’ agitation in Sambalpur.
Then CM Naveen Patnaik had written to the Union govt twice to consider HC benches in western and southern Odisha, first in Sept 2018 and again in Jan 2019.

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