Lok Sabha Question No. 3878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-11
Subject: Restoration of Dilapidated Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Gopal Chinayya Shetty

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3878 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 11 TH  AUGUST, 2023

Restoration of Dilapidated Courts

## †3878. SHRI GOPAL CHINNAYA SHETTY:

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

- (a)  whether  there  is  shortage  of  clean  drinking  water  separate  toilets  for  women, computers  on  the  tables  of  judges,  basic  medical  assistance,  record  room  and security and security in the premises of courts across the country;
- (b) if so, the details of the courts as on date,State-wise;
- (c) whether any step has been taken for the development of judicial infrastructure and restoration of dilapidated structures of courts across the country during the last three years till date; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (d): Information regarding shortage of clean drinking water, separate toilets for women, computers on the tables of judges, basic medical assistance, record room and security  is  not  maintained  in  the  Department. As  far  as  security  in  the  premises of courts across the country is concerned, it is under the exclusive domain of respective State Governments. However, as per data compiled by the Registry of Supreme Court of India on the status of judicial infrastructure and court amenities in the year 2021, only 54% court complexes have drinking water facility with purifiers, 74% of court complexes have separate ladies toilets, 27% court rooms have computer placed on the Judge's dais with VC facility, 5% of court complexes are equipped with basic medical facilities, 32% of court rooms have separate record rooms.

However,  the  infrastructure facilities in the courts  are  being  expanded, upgraded and augmented on a continuous basis. Though, the primary responsibility for development  of infrastructure facilities for judiciary rests with the State Governments,  the  Union  Government  supplements  the  resources  of  the  State Governments/UTs, through implementation of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) namely 'Development of Infrastructure Facilities  for  the  Judiciary'  since  1993-94. Under  the  scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  State  Governments  in  the prescribed  fund-sharing  pattern  between  the  Centre  and  States. The  scheme  covers the  construction  of  court  buildings  and  residential  accommodations  for  judicial officers of district and subordinate judiciary.  From the year 2021, besides court halls and residential units, new components of digital computer room, lawyers' halls and toilet complexes have also been added under the ambit of the above CSS.  A sum of Rs. 10051 crores has been released under the Scheme so far since its inception, out of which Rs. 6607 crores (66%) has been released since 2014-15. The scheme has been extended  from  2021-22  to  2025-26  with  a  budgetary  outlay  of  Rs.  9000  crores including  central  share  of  Rs.  5307.00  crore  for  this  scheme.  There  are  21,360 number of court halls and 18,863 number of residential units available in the district and  subordinate  courts  against  the  working  strength  of  19,858  Judges/Judicial

Officers as on 31.07.2023. Moreover, as per Nyaya Vikas Portal, 2,843 Court Halls and 1,745 residential units are under construction.

For time bound and proper implementation of the scheme, there are monitoring mechanisms in place as per the guidelines of the scheme.   There is a High Court Level Monitoring Committee in the State, chaired by the Chief Justices of the respective High Courts and this also has other stake holders such as, Registrar General of the High Court, portfolio judges, Law/Home Secretary of the State and Secretary of the State  PWD  as  members.  This  committee  meets  at  regular  intervals  to  review  the physical and financial progress of the projects running under the scheme.

In addition, there is a Central Level Monitoring Committee in the Department of  Justice,  chaired  by  Secretary  (Department  of  Justice,  Government  of  India)  to review  the  progress  of  the  projects  and  iron  out  any  issues  that  hinder  the  smooth implementation of the scheme. Regular meetings are being held by this Committee.Besides,  there  are  regular  visits  by  the  officials  of  the  Department  of Justice to the States for getting firsthand information on the ground. Regular meetings through video conferencing to sort out the problems of the States/UTs also take place.

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