Ensure timely delivery of justice — Advisor Manen to government advocates

TN Mannen with officers of Law & Justice department and government advocates of during the coordination meeting in Kohima.

• DIMAPUR — Emphasising that ‘justice delayed is justice denied,’ Advisor for Law and Justice, TN Manen urged the government advocates to ensure that justice is delivered without undue delay in the interest of all parties.
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• The advisor also underscored the need to have close coordination between the department and government advocates.
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• Manen was speaking at the coordination meeting of officers of the Law and Justice department and government advocates of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on May 30 at the Secretariat conference hall.

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• He suggested keeping the Law department informed about important court cases, enabling them to monitor issues, coordinate with relevant departments, and provide timely instructions to government counsels.
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• He further suggested that controlling advocates assess and report government advocates' performance based on actual merits to the department.
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• Principal Secretary, Law and Justice department, Y Kikheto Sema, stated that over 90% of High Court cases involve service matters with the government as a party, emphasising the need for close coordination between government advocates and concerned departments to effectively defend state interests.
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• During the last AHOD and HOD meeting, Sema had assured that the Law and Justice department is ready to provide legal advice to departments, highlighting the crucial role of government advocates.
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• The department will bridge between the government departments and the government advocates so that the government cases are efficiently defended, Sema stated.
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• Government advocates shared their grievances, including delayed service extensions, low lump-sum payments not reflecting their contributions, and departments' failure to provide timely instructions.
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• They also noted that adjournments are often necessary due to departments' failure to provide instructions and para-wise comments. Ironically, despite winning many cases, government advocates are frequently criticized by the government, the advocates shared.
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• After threadbare deliberation it was decided that, a timely coordination meeting will be held between the government advocates and the department concerned, including the litigating department.
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• The Law & Justice department will ensure timely extension of the service of the government advocates, while the advocates will also provide the actual performance report of each advocate to the government.
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• It was also resolved that lump-sum monthly fixed pay, which was revised in the last 10 years, will be reviewed considering neighbouring states' government advocate remuneration, and pursued with the Finance department for consideration.
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• The Government Advocates will list out the cases pending in the High Court, Kohima Bench, indicating the department-wise and the nature of cases involved and the statistics of winning and losing and withdrawal during the last 3 years for examination.
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• Additionally, government advocates will compile a list of pending High Court cases (Kohima Bench), including department-wise details, case types, and win-loss-withdrawal statistics for the last 3 years.
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• Further, government advocates will communicate to the Law and Justice department in the event of any department continuously failed to furnish necessary instruction to the advocates.