UPA government’s much-touted flagship scheme of establishing 5,000 gram nyayalayas in the country has proved to be a virtual non-starter as only five states have been able to establish such courts.
According to Central government statistics, till March 2012, only 153 courts have notified till now, with 151 of these operationalised. The statistics reveal that a majority of gram nyayalayas are operational in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh which has 89 of these while Rajasthan (45), Maharastra (nine) and Orissa (eight) are also on the list. Karnataka has also notified two gram nyayalayas, however, these are yet to be operationalised. sources said. The present status of the gram nyayalayas is despite the fact that the Gram Nyayalayas Act had come into force on October 2, 2009. Sources stated that the low number of gram nyayalayas was caused as several states have demanded higher financial aid from the Centre for establishment of these courts. The scheme is part of UPA-II’s agenda of implementing judicial reforms in the country. Sources stated that under the scheme the Central government has decided to provide financial assistance to the states for establishing the gram nyayalayas.
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MP BJP warns of stir over poverty figures
age correspondent
bhopal, March 25
MP BJP unit president Prabhat Jha on Sunday said that his party would launch a state-wide agitation against the “flawed” norms fixed by the Planning Commission for listing beneficiaries under the BPL category.
Mr Jha was addressing mediapersons at the BJP headquarters here on Sunday afternoon. The new criteria adopted for identifying those living below the poverty line would only lead to the exclusion of a large percentage of those who are really poor, the state BJP president said.
He even accused the UPA government at the Centre of conspiring against the BJP government in MP since the state administrative machinery will be used to conduct a door-to-door survey under the latest norms to exclude people from the BPL category.
If the Centre is allowed to have its way, the ruling party would end up facing people’s wrath in the next Assembly election, Mr Jha said adding: “We will never let this happen and shall fight for justice.”