Chandigarh, August 18: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today called upon the executive wing of the government to improve its functioning to minimise the pressure on the judiciary.

He said the Rs 2.08 lakh crore debt and the huge fiscal deficit that his government had "inherited" was a massive problem but expressed gratitude to the Centre for the cooperation it was extending to the state.

Addressing members of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Association, the chief minister said with the executive taking fewer decisions and leaving all vital matters to the judiciary, the latter was being over-burdened.

Punjab and Haryana High Courts Chief Justice Shiavax Jal Vazifdar and other senior judges were also present on the occasion.

While appreciating the work done by the judiciary for the welfare of the people, Amarinder said people should not end up running to the judiciary for justice on the smallest of matters.

In response to the demand for Rs 5 crore for upgrading the library and other infrastructure at the bar council, the chief minister announced Rs 50 lakh as a "small token for their contribution", lamenting his inability to give more in view of the state’s fiscal crisis.

Promising bigger contribution once the state’s economic situation starts improving, he said lawyers require the best of libraries.

He said the Rs 2.08 lakh crore debt and the huge fiscal deficit that his government had "inherited" was a massive problem but expressed gratitude to the Centre for the cooperation it was extending to the state.

Citing unemployment, agrarian crisis and economic revival as the biggest challenges faced by his government, Amarinder said the situation was challenging and required coordinated efforts by all tackle it effectively.

He expressed satisfaction that the prime ministers during the BJP government at the Centre, including Narendra Modi, were treating the Congress government in the state in the same way.