Judges to get printers with laptops

Bhopal, May 10: A year after distributing laptops under e-court project, the judges in the state are being provided printers for successful implementation of IT initiatives in the judiciary. The nationwide programme under e-court project had been launched at the order of the Supreme Court to enhance courts’ working capacity.

Distribution of printers has begun in the state with state capital’s judges receiving the printers. The process is underway and the judges are being given printers district-wise. The newly appointed judges would also receive the printers along with the laptops. It was learnt that the judges in the state are being provided HP Laser Jet 1022 printers. Earlier, they were provided laptops of the same brand.  It must be mentioned here that the High Court including benches in Indore and Jabalpur has 42 judges while the district courts across the state have about 900 judges. The state government has recently appointed 240 judges to meet the growing needs.

Objective behind providing printers to judges are to ensure smooth functioning even in absence of steno-typist, whose dearth is long felt. And it seems that the objective has been attained to some extent as a few judges in the state capital have been typing their orders staying at home to save the precious time. While, distributing laptops to judges last year, the Chief Justice AK Patnaik said aim behind giving laptops to the judges in the lower courts is to foster a culture of usage of information and communication technology in the justice delivery system and it appears the objective would be realized soon with distribution of the printers.