“There is overwhelming public demand for establishment of permanent High Court Benches in both Western and Southern Odisha and the people of these areas are persistently agitating for the same. The agitations have often affected the functioning of Courts and other Government offices in these regions,” the CM mentioned in the letter.

“While the State Government is aware of various decisions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court as well as the recommendation of the Shri Justice Jaswant Singh Commission for establishment of the Bench of a High Court away from its principal seat, it is also a fact that Government of India has the authority to decide about creation of separate bench(es)of the High Court other than the principal seat,” Patnaik wrote.

“In order to facilitate the Government of India to take early decision on this pressing issue, I would like to reaffirm the commitment of the State Government that we will provide all requisite resources for establishment of High Court Benches in these areas,” he added in the letter.

“In view of the unrelenting agitation by the people of these regions and also considering the imperativeness of the matter, I would request that an early decision regarding establishment of permanent Benches of High Court in Western and Southern Odisha be taken by the Government of India to fulfil the aspirations of the people of these regions,” he concluded.