Chandigarh, Feb 12: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has voiced strong opposition to the Union Government’s push for gram nyayalayas, terming the concept impractical for the state. During a meeting with representatives from 65 bar associations on Wednesday, the Chief Minister noted that Punjab’s existing judicial infrastructure already ensures that courts are accessible to every citizen within a 20-kilometer radius.
The Punjab government has announced the formation of a specialized committee comprising legal luminaries to study the matter in depth. Mann noted that he intends to address the issue with the Centre at the appropriate level, asserting that the proposed system would conflict with the interests of the legal fraternity and the established rule of law.
“The entire state has access to courts within a 20-km radius due to which this concept is not practically applicable in Punjab,” Mann directly said. He added that the state would explore all legal avenues to discontinue the concept in Punjab, as lawyers are already facing significant inconvenience due to the move.
The Chief Minister also addressed the rising costs of legal services and suggested that bar associations consider forming NGOs to assist marginalized communities. He mentioned that the government is committed to examining the Lawyers Protection Act and the conversion of electricity rates for chambers from commercial to domestic.
“I myself am an advocate of the people and fully committed to the well-being of every section of society,” Mann directly said. He noted that while cases are won or lost, the integrity of the judicial system must remain the priority.
