Bhubaneswar, Feb. 5: The state government today decided to set up 45 more courts in the state to bring the justice delivery system closer to the people.

Law secretary Mihir Ranjan Parida said these courts would include 22 judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) courts, 15 sub-judge courts, five additional district judge courts and three family courts.

"Most of these courts will come up in the remote areas and tribal belts in Koraput, Malkangiri and Mayurbhanj districts. Besides, highly-populated areas and places that have many cases pending, will have such courts," said Parida.

Law minister Arun Sahoo said a full bench of OrissaHigh Court had recently recommended opening these courts in various parts of the state and accordingly, a high-level committee headed by the finance minister was looking into the matter.

The committee that consists of members such as the law minister, additional chief secretary of the finance department and law secretary took the final decision in a meeting held today at the secretariat.

The aim is to set up these facilities at places where no courts are available within 50 kilometres. There are many places in the state that are inaccessible and courts are not in the vicinity. People have to travel far to get justice. Such courts will help people living in these areas. Besides, it will provide justice at a faster rate and decrease the number of pending cases, the law minister said.

"Rs 17 crore would be needed for this project and the budget provision for setting up these courts would be made in the coming budget session," Sahoo added.

At present, district and sessions courts are present in all the 30 districts of the state and several other courts have been functioning under them.

However the increasing number of pending cases and delay in justice delivery has been a matter of concern.

Besides, there are complaints that people living in remote rural areas, especially those from the inaccessible tribal hinterlands, do not go to courts or fail to get justice.