A proposal in this regard was unanimously agreed on by chief ministers/state law ministers, who had gathered in the capital recently for an annual conference. Chief justices of various high courts were also part of the two-day meet presided over by Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan.
It was decided that “Chief Justice of the High Court be delegated full powers to appropriate and re-appropriate the funds out of the budget allocated by the state for the judiciary”. Until now, this power was vested with the state Government.
The decision was arrived at after most of the CJs lamented that despite this proposal being considered on two earlier conferences, the power of appropriation and re-appropriation was yet to be given to them.
Complaining that they have to go back to the state Government every time the funds are required to be disbursed, the CJs highlighted how this was hampering functioning of the high courts.
The increased allocation of funds would be used for upgrading and augmenting the infrastructure of subordinate courts by replacing dilapidated buildings, upgrading existing complexes and constructing new complexes, wherever required. It would be used for constructing residential quarters for judicial officers, it was agreed on. The money would also be utilised for enhancing the use of IT tools.
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