*Bats for National Law University in State
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 24: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, today sought the backing of the entire nation in helping her tide over the difficult challenges confronting J&K, which she said had pegged it back on the development index as compared to other States in the country.
She said as Chief Minister her prime objective will be to restore the balance and put J&K firmly on the path of development and added that she will leave no stone unturned in bringing back smiles on the faces of the people of the State.
The Chief Minister made these observations during the annual Joint Conference of Chief Ministers of the States and Chief Justices of the High Courts, at Vigyan Bhawan, here today.
The conference was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and was also attended by Chief Justice of India, Justice T. S. Thakur, Union Minister of Law & Justice, Sadananda Gowda and the State Minister of Law, Justice & RDD, Abdul Haq Khan.
Participating in the structured discussions on improving justice delivery system in the country, the Chief Minister spoke from her heart about years of political strife in J&K where wars of ideologies have been going on for many years, resulting in huge loss of life and property, not to speak about the setback to the development process in the state.
“The Government, along with other mainstream political parties, is trying to fight this ideological battle politically, administratively and legally to the best of its ability, which takes a great toll on its energy and resources,” she stated.
The Chief Minister said J&K needs special care and attention for which she sought the support and cooperation from all the people in the country.
Mehbooba Mufti, however, said J&K is too sensitive a state and the Government cannot afford to get distracted by issues which seem to trivialize its special position in the Union of India. She said her task becomes difficult when certain groups in other parts of the country try to challenge the special relationship of J&K with the rest of the country and question the same which is part of the great Constitution of India. “Such acts, besides wasting our energy, send negative signals and vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the State,” she said, adding people in J&K are still nursing old wounds inflicted by horrific tales of misfortune and tragedy.
The Chief Minister added that this not only escalates a feeling of distrust in the state but also discredits the mainstream parties in the eyes of the voters who put their full faith in their representatives under odd circumstances.
Responding to the observations made by Mehbooba Mufti, Justice Thakur welcomed her participation in the conference after taking over as the Chief Minister of the State. “The whole country is at your back and realizes the difficult situation you are facing in your state,” he told the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said she has full faith in the wisdom of the country’s judicial system, which has proved time and again their sensitivities to the special needs of the State. She thanked the Chief Justice and admired various judicial interventions made from time-to-time, especially in fast-tracking clearance of insurance claims of the people devastated by the colossal floods of 2014.
Mehbooba Mufti also batted for setting up of a National Law University in J&K to impart training and advanced education to students and researchers so that quality of justice delivery system improves in the State.
J&K is one of the states which doesn’t have a National Law University yet.
Referring to the proposal sent by J&K Government in this regard, Justice Thakur highlighted the need for establishing National Law Universities in each State to improve quality of justice delivered to the people. He, however, requested the state Governments not to procrastinate over release of grants, which in any case do not exceed Rs. 2 to 3 crore, as this gives rise to demand for bringing all national law universities under Central regime.
The Chief Minister also agreed to consider positively the suggestion of Justice Thakur to create posts of Secretaries of Legal Aid at district-level.
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