In a strong rebuke to the state government, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam highlighted the severe lack of funds being allocated for the daily operations of district courts.
On Tuesday, during a hearing related to the restoration of Kolkata’s tram system, the division bench, which also included Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, learned that the Consul General of India had requested two trams from Kolkata to be sent to Vancouver, Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
However, upon realizing that the state government would need to spend considerable resources restoring the trams before shipping them, Chief Justice Sivagnanam expressed his frustration. He remarked, “Very sorry state of affairs. Today afternoon there is no money for purchase of paper in any of the district courts. No money has been sanctioned for purchase of cartridges. The advocates are purchasing paper and giving it to the departments in the district courts. We will not allow this…there are more than 40 proposals of the HC pending. You disregard everything. You please tell the advocate general that if monies don’t flow, I will take it up on the judicial side. I don’t want to put all of you in embarrassment. This is taking it too far. The district judges are begging with the advocates and counsel clerks for supplying paper…“
“This will become a big tug-o-war, no matters will move. If any contempt matters come, rule will be issued. One to one meetings I have held Chief Seceratary, Finance secretary, everybody took notes, nothing happened. Its six weeks now. If you want the bull to be caught by the horns, I am ready to take individual responsibility. You do whatever you want. I have got probably another 100 days to go, but this is too much. Every zonal judge calls and tells the Registrar that there is no stationary…,” he added.
