Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 5:

The Supreme Court (SC) has asked the government to allocate Rs 1.83 billion to the judiciary to ‘modernise’ the judicial system. SC officials, including acting Registrar Dr Ram Krishna Timalsena and joint registrar Binod Sharma, held a meeting with officials of the Cabinet Secretariat, National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Finance today. Last year, the government had allocated Rs 60 million despite the demand of Rs 1 billion. Government officials who attended the meeting organised to discuss budget allocation for the judiciary for the upcoming fiscal year said the government cannot allocate the amount demanded by the judiciary. Citing vice-chairman of the NPC, Dr Shankar Sharma, the official said the judiciary might get Rs 77 million this time. The Chief Secretary of the government, Dr Bimal Koirala, said he could not say anything on the issue. “Yes, we have to give priority to the judiciary, but it is the duty of the NPC and the Finance Ministry to allocate funds,” he said. The judiciary has sought more money to implement its first five-year strategic plan.