Rs. 379 cr required to complete HC complex
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, has assured that he would provide necessary funds to complete the under constructed new High Court Complex at Meriema, Kohima.
Meghwal, who inspected the complex on Wednesday, was accompanied by advisor law & justice and land revenue, TN Mannen and Jwenga Seb, MLA, along with officials from the law & justice department and members of Kohima Bar Association.
Addressing the media at the complex, Meghwal disclosed that he had a fruitful discussion with Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio regarding several key legal and developmental issues.
The MoS said that the meeting with the chief minister focused on the pending creation of a separate High Court for Nagaland, the inauguration of the new High Court building, and securing financial assistance for its completion.
“It was a positive meeting, and I have assured that during the winter session, a meeting will be convened with the secretary of justice and the secretary of expenditure from the finance department to resolve these issues,” he informed.
In a post on X, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that he “reiterated the need for release of funds for completion of the long-pending New High Court Complex.”
Rio said he was hopeful for a favourable response from the Ministry to have an efficient justice delivery system in the State
The MoS also took note of the various amenities required at the complex before its inaugural. In addition to the High Court matters, Meghwal highlighted his visit to Tseminyu on Tuesday.
He observed that Tseminyu being a newly created district, stands to benefit from various development projects under NABARD, with the possibility of new road projects and the establishment of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
“The main issue discussed was ensuring that people would directly be benefitted from funding for these projects,” Meghwal stated.
He also cited housing concerns under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme, promising an increase in housing allocation to ensure that those without concrete houses in Tseminyu would receive the necessary benefits.
Further, Meghwal assured the establishment of a district court in Tseminyu to strengthen access to justice. Asked about the condition of NH-29, Meghwal briefly remarked on the need for justice for the people affected by issues related to the highway.
According to documents provided by the contractor of high court complex construction, out of the total projected cost of Rs 541.80 crore, the state has so far allocated Rs 162.78 crore, while an additional Rs 379 crore was still required to complete the complex.
So far, all the fundings had been done by the State government under the discretion of the chief minister. Faced with the shortage in funds, the state government had on several occasions written to Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission from 2009 till date.
However, there had been no assistance till now, which has led to a stalemate as only 60% of complex remained completed. It may be mentioned that the foundation for the new complex was laid by the then Chief Justice of India, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan in 2007.