Bureaucrats to civil society: Renewed call for separate capital and high court for Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Demanding a separate capital and an independent high court for Haryana, a large gathering of bureaucrats, academicians, lawyers, and civil society members from the state converged in Chandigarh on Thursday for the 'Haryana Banao' Abhiyan.

They were of the view that it has been 58 years since Haryana was separated from Punjab, but unfortunately, the region has still not been granted the status of a fully autonomous state. Sharing his thoughts, M S Chopra, Former Deputy Secretary, Govt of India, said that the people of Haryana lack a central place to preserve and promote their heritage and to celebrate modern economic progress and achievements. "Haryana may have come into existence, but its prosperous identity could not develop.

It has yet to achieve completeness and special recognition. Building a modern capital at an appropriate location will accelerate the development of underdeveloped areas of the state and strengthen its economy," he added. Former Chief Secretary of Haryana, S C Chaudhary, said that the creation of 22 districts from the original 7 districts was indirectly justified to provide administrative and judicial services closer to the people.

But as the capital lies in one corner of the state, most people from far-off regions have to travel long distances and pay thousands of rupees in tolls to reach administrative offices and the high court. Due to lakhs of pending cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the people of Haryana face long delays in justice, which also proves costly.

Former Vice-Chancellor Radheshyam Sharma highlighted that the most serious problem in Haryana is unemployment, and the construction of a new state capital will play a crucial role in solving this issue. Padma Shri Haryanvi folk singer Mahavir Guddu pointed out that the fact that not even a single member from Haryana is included in the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) is a direct example of injustice towards the state. Advocate Ranbir Singh Badhran, former Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, said that lawyers are also demanding a separate Bar for Haryana and substantial budgetary provisions for the welfare of advocates in the Haryana state budget.

They are also demanding that retirement benefits under the Advocate Welfare Fund Act be implemented through a separate Bar Council for Haryana. According to records, more than 14,25,047 cases are pending before Haryana’s district and subordinate courts, and over 4,50,000 cases are pending before the high court. In addition, lakhs of cases are pending before various commissions, tribunals, and other authorities.

It is estimated that over 45 lakh people in Haryana are involved in litigation, and most litigants suffer due to delays in case disposal. Quick resolution of cases is of utmost importance for both litigants and advocates of Haryana.

To solve this issue, both Haryana and Punjab need separate high courts.Retired IGP, Ishwar Singh Duhan, Dr RR Malik, former Principal, Sunil Katyal former Commissioner, Right to Service Commission (RTS), Haryana), Bimla Chaudhary (social worker), Randhir Singh Saroha (co-convener, Haryana Banao Abhiyan), retired Principal RR Malik, Advocate Lalit Barada, Yadvinder Singh, Ravikant Sain, Advocate Riya Malik, Deepal Tamang, Anukriti (Advocate, Punjab & Haryana High Court), and other social workers including Sanjeev Nehra, Sadiq Chauhan, Agnivesh Nara, Labh Singh, Ashok Dadupur, Sanjeev Kumar, Ishwar Goyat, Pooja, etc.

were also present on the occasion and shared their views.