Shillong, Mar 12: Judicial infrastructure in Meghalaya has been undergoing a major upgrade with as many as 120 projects worth Rs 480 crore sanctioned under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) being implemented in the state.
The major projects being taken up under CSS are district courts and sub-divisional courts along with residential quarters, said minister in-charge Law Ampareen Lyngdoh while replying to a question in the assembly on Wednesday.
The Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit, who represents Nongkrem constituency, tabled the question about style and functioning of the law department.
“Till date 120 CSS projects are being implemented for infrastructure development of judiciary at the total cost of Rs 480.41 crore,” the minister said.
The amounts released and utilised so far for the projects funded on 90:10 sharing basis are – Rs 177.86 crore from CSS and Rs 19.76 crore as state share.
The law department is awaiting for release of another 105.94 crore from CSS and Rs 11.77 crore from state share to execute all the infrastructure projects of the judiciary, she said.
Emphasising on the government’s commitment to upgrading judicial infrastructure in the state, Lyngdoh said the government utilised Rs 37.77 crore for the projects in the current financial year.
Under the scheme, five POCSO special courts have been established – two in Shillong and one each in Nongpoh, Jowai, and Nongstoin.
To set up fast track courts, Rs 6.12 crore was sanctioned during 2020-24 with the total expenditure so far standing at Rs 3.42 crore.
The minister also informed about other major CSS projects being High Court of Meghalaya and ADR and Mediation Centres at Shillong and Tura.
A new project to be undertaken under the scheme is construction of permanent campus of National Law University (NLU) Meghalaya and ADR (Additional Disputer Resolution) and Mediation Centre in remaining districts.
For effectively defending the interest of the government, Lyngdoh said, her department undertakes an exercise periodically to prepare panel of advocates in respect in High Cout, district courts. Those applicants who fulfil the requirements as laid down under the CrPC and BNSS are considered for empanelment.
She also informed that the Meghalaya Legal Services Authority (MLSA is functioning under the Legal Services Act, 1987 as amended.
Its primary job is to render legal aid, legal assistance to the weaker sections, downtrodden, SC/STs, women etc., who are unable to afford the cost of engaging legal counsels.
MLSA organises lok adalats for speedy redressal of the disputes related to a variety of issues including motor accidents claims and family disputes.
It also conducts mega camps throughout the state to disseminate information on various central and state schemes to assist the masses on availing the benefits of such schemes.
