Lok Sabha Question No. 973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-03
Subject: International Arbitration Centre
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Dipsinh Shankarsinh Rathod

- (a) : Yes.

(b)  : A Host Country Agreement (HCA) was signed on 19.09.2008 between the Government  of  the  Republic  of India and  the  Permanent  Court  of Arbitration (PCA) for establishment of a Regional Facility of PCA in India. As per the article 1 of the HCA, the Republic of India shall be a host country for the PCA in the peaceful resolution of international disputes through arbitration, mediation, conciliation and fact-finding commissions of inquiry and in providing other appropriate assistance to government, inter-governmental organisations and other entities. Further, as per article 4 of the HCA, Ministry of External  Affairs  (MEA)  has  to  coordinate  on  behalf  of  the  Government  all

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

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## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 973

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2021

## INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE

## 973. SHRI DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD:

## Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  any  treaty  has  been  signed  regarding  establishment  of  an International Arbitration Centre in India;
- (b)     if so, details thereof;
- (c)     whether the Union Government has proposed to plan for the development of infrastructure facilities for the Judiciary; and
- (d)     if so, details thereof ?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

issues arising with respect to implementation of the agreement. Also article 6 of the HCA states that the PCA including any space provided and used pursuant to article  3  shall  enjoy mutatis  mutandis, the  same  privileges  and  immunities  as those accorded to the United Nations in the Republic of India pursuant to Art. II of  the  UN  convention  (Convention  on  the  Privileges  and  Immunities  of  the United Nations 1946).

(c) &(d) : The primary responsibility of development of Infrastructure facilities for judiciary rests with the State Governments. To augment the resources of the State Governments, the Union Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure facilities  in district  and subordinate courts by providing financial assistance to State Governments/UTs in the prescribed fund sharing pattern. The Scheme is being implemented since 1993-94.  Till  date  the  Central  Government  has  sanctioned  Rs.  8709.77  crore under the Scheme to States/UTs. The Scheme has been extended from time to time.  Under  this  scheme  funds  are  released  by  the  Central  Government  for construction  of  court  buildings  and  residential  accommodations  for  Judicial Officers of  District  and  Subordinate  Judiciary.  The  Government  has  extended the  above  scheme  for  a  further  period  of  five  years  from  01.04.2021  to 31.03.2026, with a total budgetary outlay of Rs. 9000 crores, including Central share of Rs. 5307 crores. The scheme components have been expanded to also cover the construction of toilets, digital computer rooms and Lawyers' Hall in the  district  and  subordinate  courts.  As  per  information  made  available  by  the High Courts, 20,565 Court Halls and 18,142 Residential Units are available in the  District  and  Subordinate  Courts  as  on  31.10.2021.  Moreover,  2841  Court Hall and 1807 Residential Units are under construction.