The West Bengal state government is considering a significant overhaul of its panel of government pleaders and public prosecutors. This move aims to reduce reliance on expensive external legal practitioners, as highlighted by the Suvendu Adhikari-led government. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the current legal panel to actively handle cases at both the Calcutta High Court and lower courts to minimize the financial burden on the state exchequer.
During a meeting with the current legal panel members, the Chief Minister expressed intentions to revamp the state government panel of government pleaders and public prosecutors. The objective is to enhance their efficiency in handling cases, thereby decreasing the necessity of hiring high-profile legal professionals from outside, which has been costly for the state.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing any weaknesses in the existing panel of government pleaders and public prosecutors. This initiative aims to strengthen the legal representation of the state government and improve the overall performance in legal matters. The move comes in response to concerns over the frequent hiring of external legal experts during the previous administration, which often led to unfavorable outcomes for the state government.
In a bid to improve the support system for government pleaders and public prosecutors, the Chief Minister highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation from various government departments. He assured the legal representatives of necessary assistance and prompt access to essential documents and information required for legal proceedings. Additionally, he instructed all state government departments to offer full support to the legal panel and advised direct communication with his office in case of any obstacles.
