Announcing that steps would be initiated to set up a bench of the High Court in the city, Animal Husbandry Minister K. Parthasarathy on Wednesday exuded confidence that Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who is also in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, would consider the proposal and help allot the bench.
Addressing members of the Bezwada Bar Association (BBA) after inaugurating a mini water plant set up by the Lanco Foundation on the premises of the city courts, Mr. Parthasarathy called upon the advocates to contribute their mite to increasing the legal literacy rate among the public.
“To my knowledge, about 90 per cent of the public, including majority of the elected representatives, don't know the nitty-gritty of law,” he said, adding that as a result of lack of legal knowledge people were suffering while lodging complaints with the police.
Observing that the city was developing at a fast pace, Mr. Parthasarathy said there was a need to increase the number of courts too. Responding to the proposals made by BBA president Pilla Ravi that the city needed High Court bench, CBI court and special courts to deal with cases pertaining to sales tax and income tax, the Minister agreed that number of courts should be increased.
“You can form as an association to take up the task of achieving the bench and other courts. I am here to support you,” he said.
MLAs Malladi Vishnu, Vellampalli Srinivas, Mayor M.V. Ratna Bindu, Deputy Mayor S.P. Gritton and others were present. Earlier in the day, the Minister inaugurated the Lanco Foundation's office at Sitarampuram and a mini water plant at APSRTC Governorpet depot.
