Orissa civil courts bill tabled

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government introduced the Orissa Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2011, to enhance the pecuniary jurisdiction of the civil judge (junior division) in the adjudication of civil suits on Wednesday. The proposed amendment was felt necessary in view of the huge pendency of civil cases in the court of civil judges. The objective of the amendment is to provide speedy justice to the litigants at their doorsteps at minimal expense. 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 extends to hear the appeals where the valuation of the suit does not exceed Rs.5 lakh. Prior to the amendment, the jurisdiction of the District Judge in adjudicating civil cases relating to immovable properties was limited to ` 1 lakh. For civil suits, where the valuation of the properties exceeded ` 1 lakh, the appellate authority was the High Court. While the pecuniary jurisdiction of the district judge has been increased from Rs.1 lakh to 5 lakh, the pecuniary jurisdiction of civil judge (junior division) is limited to Rs.10,000. Now the Government proposes to increase the pecuniary jurisdiction of the civil judge (junior division) to Rs.50,000. Meanwhile, the valuation of immovable property has increased manifold and  there is more involvement of commercial and other transactions. 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 number of courts of civil judge (junior division) in places other than the sub-divisional headquarters. During discussion on the civil courts amendment bill last year, several members, cutting across party line, suggested that the pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Judge Court be extended to Rs.10 lakh instead of  Rs. 5 lakh in view of the increasing price of land due to rapid industrial, growing commercial activities and infrastructure development.