NEW DELHI, Nov 26 � Decks have been cleared for setting up of separate High Courts in the three Northeastern States of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura. Union Law and Justice Ministry proposes to introduce Bills for the purpose during the on-going Winter Session of the Parliament.
According to sources, Union Home Ministry is to pilot the Bill proposing amendment to the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, to set up separate High Courts in Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya. The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared the Bill, which has been pending for long.
The three States would have separate High Courts in Shillong, Imphal and Agartala.
Currently, Gauhati High Court has the jurisdiction over the seven States with provisions for separate Benches for each of the States.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is also likely to go for bifurcation of Manipur-Tripura cadre. The Union Cabinet has already cleared the proposal and a separate Bill proposing amendment to the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971 is also expected to be tabled during the Winter Session, said sources.
Sources said the Centre decision was forced by the pressure from Manipur and Tripura Chief Ministers, who have been pressing the Centre to bifurcate the joint cadres. Like Manipur and Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya too share a common cadre.
