PANAJI
The State government has refrained from committing to set up special Family Courts in each taluka citing an existing shortage of 18 judges. During a discussion on a private member's resolution, Minister for Law and Judiciary Aleixo Sequeira assured the Assembly that efforts would be made to expedite the disposal of pending cases and initiate counselling among aggrieved parties.
“I fully understand the sentiments of the House that Family Courts are the need of the hour. However, we currently face a shortage of 18 judges and with 12 talukas to serve, we will need 12 judges just for these courts,” Sequeira said. “We will look into alternative mechanisms to speed up case disposal.”
BJP MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, who tabled the resolution, received support from the Opposition who discussed the inconvenience caused to families by delayed cases.
“Divorce cases are increasing daily. The government should set up special Family Courts to expedite these cases including family disputes, where judges can focus solely on them. There is unnecessary delay in inventory proceedings and each taluka should have a dedicated court,” Tuenkar demanded.
MLA Chandrakant Shetye suggested that legal counselling could help resolve issues before reaching court. “We want to see everyone happy,” he added. The minister assured to look into this suggestion.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai supported the resolution citing existing rules that require Family Courts for cities or towns with over one million people. “The Family Courts may find an increase in the number of cases but it will also improve case disposal rates. According to the existing Act, it is mandatory to have a court in every city or town with a population of one million. Goa has a population of one and a half million,” Sardesai said while Alemao added that family Courts are urgently needed in every taluka, especially given the rise in cases of senior citizen assault, divorce, and domestic violence.
