Kolkata, 17 September (IANS) drawn by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, the West Bengal government on Wednesday approved Rs 50 crore for the development and maintenance of the infrastructure of lower and district courts across the state.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant informed about the government’s decision for the division bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi during a virtual presence in the court on Wednesday afternoon.
In the earlier hearing in the case on 11 September, the same division bench questioned the reluctance of the state government in providing funds for the development of the infrastructure, as well as the betterment of various lower and district courts in the state. The High Court had also directed the Chief Secretary to specify the date by which the state government would issue the necessary funds for that purpose on the next date of hearing.
The matter came for hearing on Wednesday, and there the Chief Secretary informed the Division Peeth of allocation of Rs 50 crore by the state government for that purpose. Pant also told the court that the amount will be used for the 14 projects related to the development of infrastructure for various lower and district courts.
However, the Division Bench said that the state government has so far clarified its position on funds for lower and district courts for 53 similar infrastructure development projects.
The Chief Secretary asked for seven more days to clarify the case in court. The next date of hearing in the case has been set for September 24.
The state government has faced criticism for delay in funds, which has stopped several infrastructure related works in courts across West Bengal, including the Calcutta High Court.
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SRC/SKP