**Bhubaneswar: ** In response to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s fourth letter on 11.01.2019 regarding setting up of Benches of Orissa High Court in the Western and Southern regions of Odisha, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has once again requested the State Government to have necessary consultation with the Orissa High Court Chief Justice and work out details of the proposed Bench(es).
In his letter on January 12, 2019, the Union Law Minister has mentioned, “I once again request you to have the necessary consultation with the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and work out the details of the proposed Bench(es). Once the State Government along with the High Court communicate their clear views, the Union Government would take further necessary action in this matter.”
Referring to the Odisha Chief Minister’s latest letter, the Union Minister has also mentioned, “In my letter of even no. dated 10th September, 2018, the steps taken by the Government of India have been communicated. I have also enumerated the action to be taken by the Government of Odisha in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court for setting up of High Court Benches”.
“I would like to stress again that setting up of a Bench of a High Court is to be considered in the light of recommendations made by the Jaswant Singh Commission and judicial pronouncements of Supreme Court in W.P. (C) no. 379 of 2000,” he has stated.
He has also stated, “The Chief Justice is head of the High Court and its Benches. He is responsible for running the day to day administration of the Principal Seat of the High Court and any Bench(es) of that High Court constituted a the State.”
“As such, it is imperative that the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted and recommendations of Orissa High Court obtained before setting up any Bench(es) of the High Court in the State. The same process is followed in case of all other High Courts. It goes without saying that once the recommendations of the High Court are obtained, the State government has to provide the requisite infrastructure immediately,” the Union Law Minister has observed.
**Also Read:** [Odisha CM Urges Union Law Minister Again To Decide On HC Benches In Western & Southern Odisha](https://www.ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/odisha-cm-urges-union-law-minister-again-to-decide-on-hc-benches-in-western-southern-odisha)
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