Chandigarh, Feb 12: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sided with the state’s legal professionals by opposing the central government’s plan for gram nyayalayas, stating the move goes against the wishes of the legal fraternity. Addressing a large gathering of bar association members, the Chief Minister noted that the state government is dedicated to protecting the interests of advocates and maintaining institutional integrity.
The Chief Minister noted that the current judicial setup in Punjab is sufficient, making the introduction of decentralized rural courts unnecessary. He mentioned that a committee of prominent legal figures will be established to review the implications of the Centre’s directive. Mann said the state will use all available means to ensure the concept does not take root in Punjab.
“The lawyers are already up in arms against this move of the Centre as it causes a lot of inconvenience to them,” Mann directly said. He noted that bar associations have historically played a vital role in the development of the country’s legal system and the betterment of society.
During the interaction, Mann also discussed the need for ethical standards within the judiciary and the protection of constitutional values such as justice and equality. He noted that the demands of the legal community, including those regarding their chambers and professional safety, are genuine and will be given thorough consideration.
“Justice is costly these days, just like other things,” Mann directly said, while encouraging lawyers to provide more free legal aid to the deprived. Punjab Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi, who welcomed the Chief Minister, noted the significance of the dialogue between the government and the legal community.
