Citizens' access to justice has increased: President Bhandari

President Bidyadevi Bhandari has said that the access of common people to justice has increased through the Judicial Committee.

 Inaugurating the National Conference of the Judicial Committee organized by the Pokhara Metropolitan City in Pokhara today, he said that the main objective of the democratic system of governance was to create conditions for the administration of justice at the doorsteps of the people. Stating that the local level judicial committee is motivated by the courts, tribunals and penal system adopted by our society in ancient times, President Bhandari said that alternative measures have been taken to resolve disputes at the local level through the judicial committee.

 "I am convinced that this kind of constitutional provision has increased access to justice for women, the poor, the marginalized and the marginalized, as well as the general public," she said. She said that although the concept of the Judicial Committee was new, some good practices have been developed in the meantime. She said that the Local Government Operation Act, 2074 BS has given this committee the right to resolve disputes in the daily life of the people. Stating that resolving disputes from the local level is challenging, she said that it is not a common thing to give justice to the people who come to seek justice and punish the culprits.

 President Bhandari said that the pre-registration consultation, setting up of a separate bench, invitation of subject matter experts and coordination with stakeholders such as district administration, police office and the court have helped in making the administration of justice effective. She stressed the need for the committee to work fearlessly while resolving various personal or institutional pressures, challenges, directives and non-cooperation including political, social, cultural, economic and religious issues.

 She drew the attention of the concerned parties to manage the adequate resources including human and physical infrastructure required to make the work of the Judicial Committee more effective. "The local level is the basic unit of economic progress of the country and also the key organ for implementing the policies of the federal and state governments," she said. For this, I urge every local level to give special priority to education, health, clean drinking water, sanitation, tourism and agriculture sectors while formulating plans and programs suitable for their environment. ”

She reminded from time to time that nature should be developed by smoking, not by spoiling it. Noting that there are community forests for greenery at every local level, various religious sites, lakes and ponds, she said it was our sacred duty to protect every heritage given to us by nature as an invaluable gift and to protect the biodiversity. The President emphasized the need to conduct multi-purpose plantations as a campaign at the local level to protect water resources, prevent soil erosion and replenish our own food and medicinal uses. Stating that the Judicial Committee has reached the last moment of its five-year tenure by working hand in hand with the administration of justice and the development of the people, she said that this period has made it more experienced, mature and capable.

 Calling the attention of the Government of Nepal, political parties and all concerned parties to hold the upcoming local elections in a free and fair manner, the President called upon the people to participate enthusiastically in the elections by exercising their constitutional rights.

She said that the Pokhara Declaration to be issued from the conference would provide guidance to make the work of the Judicial Committee more effective and prosperous in the days to come.