Lok Sabha Question No. 572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-19
Subject: Gram Nyayalayas
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 572.

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 19 TH JULY, 2017.

## Gram Nyayalayas

## 572. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  States  in  the  country  which  have  set  up  Gram Nyayalayas in rural areas;
- (b)  whether  the  delivery  of  justice  through  Gram  Nyayalayas  is  faster than ordinary courts and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of funds allocated and released to the States for setting up of Gram Nyayalayas in the country; and
- (d) the other steps being taken to provide speedy justice in rural areas?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) : As per information made available by State Governments / High Courts, 320 Gram Nyayalayas have been notified so far by 11 States, out of these, 204 are operational in 8 States at present.

(b): The  Gram  Nyayalayas  Act,  2008 provides  special  procedure  for  both criminal  and  civil  disputes.    Section  19  (1)  of  the  Act inter-alia provides for summary  procedure  for  criminal  offences. Section  24  of  the  Act inter-alia provides that hearing  shall  be  continued  on  day  to  day  basis  until  its conclusion and that  suit,  claim,  application,  filed  under  the  Act  shall  be disposed of within a period of six months from the date of its institution. The data  on  institution  and  disposal  of  cases  in  Gram  Nyayalayas  is  not maintained centrally.

(c)  :  State-wise  details  the  financial  assistance  provided so  far to  State Governments for setting up of Gram Nyayalayas are as under:

(Rs. in lakh)

| Sl. No.   | Name of the State   |   Financial Assistance sanctioned |
|-----------|---------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 1         | Madhya Pradesh      |                           1819    |
| 2         | Rajasthan           |                           1240.98 |
| 3         | Karnataka           |                             25.2  |
| 4         | Orissa              |                            337.4  |
| 5         | Maharashtra         |                            258.8  |
| 6         | Jharkhand           |                             75.6  |
| 7         | Goa                 |                             25.2  |
| 8         | Punjab              |                             25.2  |
| 9         | Haryana             |                             25.2  |
| 10        | Uttar Pradesh       |                            627.42 |
| 11.       | Kerala              |                            375    |
| Total     |                     |                           4835    |

(d)  :  The  issues  affecting  operationalization  of  the  Gram  Nyayalayas  were discussed  in  the  Conference  of  Chief  Justices  of  High  Courts  and  Chief Ministers of the States on 7 th April,  2013. It  was  decided in the Conference that the State Governments and High Courts should decide the question of establishment  of  Gram  Nyayalayas  wherever  feasible,  taking  into  account their local problems.

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