Questions arise over spending amid poor state of existing judicial infra
PANAJI
The State government poured almost Rs 1 crore for the inauguration of the ‘technologically advanced’ District Court Complex at Merces, an event steeped in extravagance and urgency.
The whopping expenditure contrasts sharply with the poor state of judicial infrastructures, if not all, including the three-and-half-year-old High Court of Bombay at Goa premises, which reported leaks two months after its grand inauguration in March 2021.
Credible sources revealed to The Goan that the inauguration of the new district court premises was reportedly expedited to coincide with the outgoing Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud’s visit to Goa.
Sources stated that CJI’s presence was particularly sought as he was already expected to be in Goa for the launch of Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai’s book titled “Traditional Trees of Bharat.” Also, with CJI Chandrachud’s retirement on November 10, State officials were keen to have the court complex inaugurated under his auspices.
“The inauguration was hastily conducted although major works of the building are complete. Minor finishing touches are, however, still pending and will be completed soon,” sources added.
What is more striking is that this Rs 1 crore approx exceeded Rs 70-80 lakh spent on the inauguration of the High Court building in March 2021, when then-CJI S A Bobde and former Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad graced the occasion.
The difference in cost has raised questions about the prioritisation of funds, especially given the dire condition of some of the existing court infrastructure.
The government is on record spending over Rs 2.5 crore on court building renovations since 2020. Many structures still face monsoon-related issues and ironically no formal inquiry or investigation has so far been initiated.
During the monsoon session of the assembly, the government conceded structural flaws in the High Court building at Porvorim. Law and Judiciary Minister Aleixo Sequeira thereafter assured that the contractor is handling repairs under a defect liability period.
Sources confirmed to The Goan that repairs have stretched over a year and still continue.
Deputy Solicitor General Pravin Faldessai first raised concerns about the Rs 115-crore High Court building. In his report to the GSIDC, he pointed out problems such as water seepage, slippery floors, waterlogging and ceiling collapses, particularly on the second floor. Repairs were initiated shortly afterward.
While smaller court buildings have seen temporary fixes. Repairs at the Ponda Civil & Criminal Courts, costing Rs 30.88 lakh since 2020, did not fully resolve water leakages, reportedly due to funding issues. At the POCSO Court, monsoon-related leakages are attended to on an ongoing basis, and in the Civil Court at Bicholim, temporary measures have been implemented, including covering the Mangalore-tiled roof with plastic sheets to prevent leaks. At Lyceum Complex (Court building), the re-plastering with painting and canopy changed with PVC sheets were carried out with the government claiming maintenance is regularly attended to.
