In Kerala, Chief Justice of India Justice K G Balakrishnan on Saturday declared Moonnilavu Panchayat in Kottayam district as the first litigation controlled scheduled tribe Panchayat in the country.<br/><br/>Addressing a function in the panchayat to mark the occasion, he said the number of courts in the country should be increased for the speedy settlement of cases. He urged people to avail the benefits of the welfare programmes of the government, especially the services of the Legal Services Authority.<br/><br/>The Kerala High Court Acting Chief Justice Mr P R Raman and other judges of the High Court were among those who attended the function.<br/>