MARGAO
Issuing directions to the government to expedite the issuance of a work order to the contractor to commence work on the Margao Civil and Criminal Court building at the earliest, the High Court has observed that it expects the works to be completed by mid-January 2023 but made it clear that under no circumstances can the project be delayed up to the monsoons or even beyond the end of January 2023.
In fact, the High Court bench comprising Justice Bharat P Deshpande and Justice M S Sonak has requested the Law Secretary to look into the matter personally, saying “Considering the urgency of the issue and the minimum period projected for the completion of works, the works must commence at the earliest.”
While appreciating the efforts of the administration in the matter up to now, the High Court hoped the momentum gained must not be slackened.
“At the cost of repetition, we record that this is not only an issue concerning effective Administration of Justice but also an issue concerning the structural stability of the infrastructure and the safety of its users. Therefore, for this project, at least, there should be no delay. All the concerned must function with utmost dispatch,” the court added.
While posting the matter for further consideration on October 11, 2022, the court has hoped that at the next date of hearing, the work order will be issued, so that the contractor can commence the works in earnest and conclude the same within 90 days.
“From the photographs, it is evident that if the works are not completed expeditiously, the entire structural stability of the building or, in any case, its utility will be seriously hampered. Therefore, for the present, the building has to be partly vacated as the functioning from these parts was virtually impossible and highly unsafe,” the court observed.
Saying that some courts have been shifted to the District Court building, the court further observed this is a considerable inconvenience to the functioning of both the courts.
“However, as noted in our earlier orders, this is not a matter which can brook much delay. The advocates, judges and the court staff face several difficulties because they have to function through the District Court building. There is no sufficient space in the District Court building, which seriously hampers the administration of justice,” the court added.
Considering the emergent situation, the High Court has observed: “We would appreciate if the work order is issued at the earliest and preferably not later than October 10, 2022.”
