By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: HSPDP MDC from Rambrai KP Pangngiang has stressed on the strengthening of the district council subordinate courts and village courts for speeding up the administration of justice for the benefit of the indigenous tribals of the State.
“At present, there is tremendous pressure on the District Council Court (DCC) since it has to cater to a large number of cases,” Pangngiang said while moving a motion on the need to strengthen the functioning of the Judiciary (Administration of Justice) in the KHADC on the second day of the Council Summer Session on Wednesday.
He said the DCC had been looking into all the cases concerning the tribal population who are residing within its jurisdiction even as pointing out that the High Court are also adding the burden since they are also transferring many of the cases to the DCC.
“The strengthening of the subordinate courts and village courts would help to ease the burden on the DCC,” HSPDP from Rambrai MDC said.
“This would only help to save a lot of time since the villagers can file their complaints in these village-level courts which are being handled by the Hima, Raid and local Dorbar. The adjudication of justice would be carried out at a faster pace,” he said.
Pangngiang also stressed on the need to increase the manpower of the DCC.
“The DCC is presently suffering from the problem of shortage of staff. With the present manpower, it is difficult for the DCC to perform to its optimum level,” he said while also suggesting on the need to computerize the whole functioning of the court.
The HSPDP MDC from Rambrai also questioned over the delay in the appointment of the Additional Judge which is lying vacant since 2011.
Supporting the motion, HSPDP MDC from Mawkyrwat Enbin K Raswai said that it is important for the Council to take immediate steps to improve the functioning of the DCC.
“The court at present has not been able to deliver as per the aspirations of the people. I know that there are large numbers of pending cases lying in the court,” Raswai said.
In his reply, KHADC CEM Pynshngain N Syiem said that the Executive Committee (EC) is alive on the shortcomings in the functioning of the DCC.
“As of now, there are around 700 plus pending cases. We have issued clear cut directive to speed up the process for clearing up of the cases,” he said.
He also informed that they have also submitted a proposal to the State Government for appointment of an additional judge at the earliest.