Kerala Floods: Punjab & Haryana HC to raise Rs 1.5 crore towards Disaster Relief

Joining in on efforts to aid the post-flood crisis in Kerala, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has announced plans to raise a cumulative amount of about Rs 1.5 crores towards disaster relief measures in the state.

A press release issued by the High Court sounds a note of empathy as it calls upon its members to make donations towards flood relief.

“Kerala, popularly known as God’s own Country, has suffered worst ever floods due to unprecedented rains which wrecked havoc leaving hundreds of people dead and lakhs of people homeless.

The extensive damage to public and private property has paralyzed normal life of millions of people. The task of rehabilitation of the affected and re-development of the infrastructure requires huge resources.

In this need of hour the members of legal fraternity in the State of Punjab and Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh share the pain and agony of the people of Kerala and extend their solidarity and support to them.”

To this end, Chief Justice Krishna Murari had convened a Full Court meeting, wherein the High Court judges have resolved to contribute Rs 10,000 each towards the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. It is informed that the Court’s Registrars and office staff will also be making contributions.

An estimated Rs 1.5 crores is expected to be raised on account of contributions made by the judges, judicial officers and court staff.

“The Hon’ble Chief Justice and Hon’ble Judges have contributed an amount of Rs.5,10,000/-.

The Registrars and Officers on Special Duty of the Registry of High Court have contributed an amount of Rs.1,19,000/-.

Other Officers and employees of the High Court have volunteered to contribute one day salary to the ‘Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund’. All the Judicial Officers and Subordinate Court employees in the State of Punjab and Haryana and U.T.Chandigarhhave also volunteered to make similar contributions.

The amount of contribution from all the Hon’bleJudges, Judicial Officers and Court employees is likely to be 1.5 crores besides the contribution to be made by the Bar Associations.”

Further, the Court has also requested members of the subordinate judiciary and the bar to make their own voluntary contributions.

“Hon’ble Judges also resolved that all the District and Sessions Judges, other Judicial Officers, High Court and Subordinate Court employees and Members of High Court Bar Association and District Bar Associations in the State of Punjab and Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh be requested to make voluntary contributions.”

Courts and lawyers across the country have rallied in recent times to aid the flood-ravaged state in any way possible. Besides voluntary contributions, various judges have also directed the payment of costs in cases before them towards disaster relief in Kerala. Relief material collection drives have also been organised.

Two such drives were also conducted by Delhi-based lawyers at the Supreme Court. This apart, funds were also raised at a cultural event organised recently by Supreme Court journalists.