Srinagar, July 24: Jammu and Kashmir government today announced establishment of a new institution of district attorney to effectively defend cases against the government in subordinate courts and prevent enormous loss to the state. Announcing the decisions of the cabinet, which met for the second day today, Chief Secretary S S Bloeria said "14 posts of district attorneys have been created for conducting special cases and supervising the work of standing counsels in lower courts." In another decision, the government appointed Syed Ria Hussain and Manzoor Ahmad Ganai as additional advocates general for Srinagar wing of the state high court, while P C Sharma has been appointed as Additional Advocate General for the Jammu wing of the state High Court, Bloeria said. He said the need for setting up a new institution of district attorney was felt as there were about 50,000 cases pending in the subordinate courts, many of which were against the state.

The departments do not take interest in these cases resulting in jeopardising state's interest. On many occasions adverse order were passed against the government, he said.

He said the situation in cases relating to financial matters was even worse. The position of land compensation, motor accident claims and arbitration cases was similar.


According to an estimate, the government was facing Rs 100 crore as liability due to these defaults in subordinate courts, Bloeria said. Bureau Report