Demand for High court bench in Thiruvananthapuram

The Centre's attitude of not sanctioning a high court bench in the state capital even after the assembly adopted a resolution in this regard twice was very unfortunate, state law minister M Vijayakumar said.   Replying to a submission for setting up a high court bench in Thiruvananthapuram by ruling LDF MLA, V Surendran Pilla in the assembly today, Vijayakumar said the Union government had informed the state again that Centre could proceed in the matter only if High Court gives its approval.   The Centre's reply in the matter was only a repetition of its earlier stand, he said. The demand for high court bench was taken up by chief minister VS Achuthanandan with prime minister Manmohan Singh in the presence of defence minister AK Antony and state opposition leader Oommen Chandy, Vijayakumar said.