**Bhubaneswar:** The ruling-BJD in State, opposition BJP and Congress have unanimously supported the demand of Western Odisha lawyers for setting up permanent Bench of Orissa High Court in the region.
Talking on the sidelines of the 48-hour ‘Maha Bandh’ and ‘rail roko’ called by the Central Action Committee (CAC) of All-Western Odisha Bar Association (AWOBA), BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said the State Government is also empathetic with the demands and had apprised the Centre over the issue.
“The Centre had asked State to approach the Orissa High Court for suggestions. The State Government is aware about the present demands and will take appropriate steps in this regard,” he added.
BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said, “I support the ongoing stir demanding establishment of permanent Bench of Orissa High Court in Western Odisha.”
He, however, alleged the State Government is not concerned about establishment of the Bench in the region, as it may upset the people of Cuttack, and therefore is not providing required facts to the Centre in this regard.
Senior Congress leader and Opposition chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati said, as per the Jaswant Singh Commission report, the State Government should provide the Centre with a list of places where permanent Bench of High Court could be established.
He further said, “I had demanded in the Odisha Assembly that there should also be a permanent Bench of Orissa High Court in Jeypore, I don’t protest against its establishment in Western Odisha. The permanent Bench should be established both in Jeypore and Western Odisha.”
**Also Read:** [Western Odisha HC Bench Stir: 48-Hour Maha Bandh Begins, Protestors Stage ‘Rail Roko’, Normal Life Disrupted](https://www.ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/western-odisha-hc-bench-stir-48-hour-maha-bandh-begins-protestors-stage-rail-roko-normal-life-disrupted)
