BHUBANESWAR: The Assembly on Thursday passed the Orissa Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2011, enhancing the pecuniary jurisdiction of the civil judge (junior division) in the adjudication of civil suits.
The amended law will reduce the huge pendency of civil cases in the court of civil judges and provide speedy justice to the litigants at their doorsteps at minimal expense, Law Minister Bikram Arukh told the Assembly.
The Government amended the Orissa Civil Courts Act, 1984, and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in August last year keeping in view huge pendency of civil cases in the High Court.
After the amendment to the Orissa Civil Courts Act, the pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Judge Court has been increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh, while the pecuniary jurisdiction of civil judge (junior division) is limited to Rs. 10,000. The new legislation will increase the pecuniary jurisdiction of the civil judge (junior division) to Rs. 50,000.
Meanwhile, the valuation of immovable property has increased manifold and thus, involvement of commercial and other transactions, the Minister said.
Enhancement of the pecuniary jurisdiction of the civil judge (junior division) will reduce the work load of the courts of civil judges (senior division) and the pendency of cases as well.
This will help the litigants as the Government is planning to open more courts of civil judge (junior division) in places other than the sub-divisional headquarters.