Badal calls upon judiciary to play pro-active role

Chandigarh, Aug 23 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the legal fraternity to play a pro-active role in society as judiciary alongwith executive and legislature have an obligation to work in harmony.

In an open interaction with lawyers of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, organized by the Bar Association here, he said that each of these organs of the state had a role to play under the Constitution, which must be discharged in the right earnest.

Each organ must respect the role and functions of other and cautiously exercise powers accorded to it, he added.

The Chief Minister said that our judiciary, legislature, members of the Bar, legal academia and scholars must, therefore, be actively engaged in finding meaningful and widely acceptable solutions to social challenges.

He said lawyers could play a vital role in getting justice and protecting one's fundamental rights. He exhorted the legal fraternity to discharge their duties with professional commitment, dedication and sincerity in the larger public interest.

Mr Badal appreciated Punjab Haryana High Court Justice, Mr Vijender Jain, for initiating special efforts to create awareness among the people against the social malady of female foeticide and drug addiction in the state.

He assured the Chief Justice that the State Government would provide all financial assistance and cooperation for the construction of judicial complexes and lawyers' chambers in the state.

He reiterated that it was an endeavour of the State Government to provide congenial atmosphere to lawyers and judiciary to discharge their duties efficiently.

He commended the Chief Justice for pioneering the concept of mobile courts by launching them from Haryana and urged him to launch such courts in Punjab too.

Responding to the demands raised by High Court Bar Association President, Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, the Chief Minister announced to contribute Rs 3 crore in three equal annual installments as Punjab's share towards the corpus of Rs 5 crore set up by the Bar Association for the welfare of lawyers, besides Rs 50 lakh for the modernization and renovation of the Bar room.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Justice Vijender Jain lauded the Chief Minister for showing special concern for the welfare of the Judiciary. He thanked Mr Badal for releasing requisite grant for the construction of judicial complexes and lawyers' chamber in the state.

The function was attended by High Court Judges, former Judges, members of the Bar Association and Bar council and lawyers.

UNI