Union Law Minister pledges financial aid for Nagaland high court completion

KOHIMA — Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, has assured Nagaland of financial assistance to complete the construction of its new high court building and expedite the establishment of a separate high court for the state.

He said this during an interaction with the media while inspecting the ongoing high court construction at Meriema on Wednesday. Currently, Nagaland falls under the jurisdiction of the Gauhati High Court.

Meghwal, who is on the second day of his state visit, said that he had “very good” meeting with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio during which they discussed pending issues related to the high court, including its inauguration, financial assistance, and IT infrastructure at the new complex.

To further address these matters, he said that Nagaland’s Advisor for Law and Justice along with Commissioner and Secretary of Law and Justice would be invited to Delhi for a meeting during the parliament’s winter session.

This meeting will also include central government officials, such as the Secretary of Justice and Secretary of Expenditure, to work towards a resolution.

Reiterating his commitment to resolving the high court issues “at the earliest”, he also expressed appreciation to the contractor responsible for the construction of the main high court building, which is 99% complete.

During their meeting, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is reported to have pressed the union minister for release of funds. “Reiterated the need for release of funds for completion of the long-pending new High Court Complex. Hopeful for a favourable response from the ministry to have an efficient justice delivery system in the state,” he wrote on X.

Sources said that granting Nagaland a separate High Court would require the Parliament to revisit the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971.

The need for a new High Court complex arose due to the limitations of the existing Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, which was established in 1972 and upgraded to a permanent bench in 1990. The foundation stone for the new complex at Meriema, built on a 23-acre site, was laid in 2007 by the then Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan.

According to the Executive Engineer of the PWD (Housing) Central Division Kohima, the project’s total estimated cost is INR 541.80 crore. Nagaland government has contributed INR 162.78 crore to date, leaving a balance of INR 379 crore required for completion.

During the visit to the High Court site, Meghwal was accompanied by Advisor for Law and Justice and Land Revenue, TN Mannen; MLA Jwenga Seb; Commissioner and Secretary Law and Justice Y Kikheto Sema and other officials.

Development initiatives for Tseminyu

During the interaction, Meghwal also addressed developmental needs in the newly created Tseminyu district, which he had visited on October 22.

He said that road projects could be sanctioned under NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and also proposed the establishment of new nationalised and regional rural banks to enhance financial inclusion and facilitate access to state and central government funds.

Meghwal assured that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme would be expanded in Tseminyu to benefit more individuals without pucca houses. He also announced the establishment of a new District Court.

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