Lok Sabha Question No. 1542 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Lack of Modern facilities in Court Complexes
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Kuruva Gorantla Madhav

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1542

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 28 TH  JULY, 2023

Lack of Modern facilities in Court Complexes

## 1542. Shri Kuruva Gorantla Madhav:

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

- (a) whether  the  courts  in  India  lack  infrastructure  such  as  court  rooms  with adequate space and modern facilities and court complexes not having basic facilities such as separate toilets for women, medical aid centre, water purifier and libraries making it difficult for them to perform effectively;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  percentage  of  lower  courts  not  having separate toilets for women;
- (c)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  judicial  infrastructure  to ensure ease of doing business in court complexes; and
- (d) the details of funds provided or proposed to be provided by the Government to the States?

## 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):  The development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary in the States, including  facilities  such  as  separate  toilets  for  women,  medical  aid  centre,  water purifier  and  libraries,  is  the  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments.  The  Central Government  basically  supplements  the  resources  of  the  State  Governments  by releasing  financial  assistance  under  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  (CSS)  for  the development  of  judicial  infrastructure  by  providing  financial  assistance  to  State Governments / UTs in the prescribed fund-sharing pattern between Centre and States. The scheme is being implemented since 1993-94. It covers the construction of court buildings  and  residential  accommodations  for  judicial  officers  of  district  and subordinate  judiciary.  As  against  the  sanctioned  strength  of  25,215  and  working strength of 19,876 judges/judicial officers there are 21,365 court halls and 18,846 residential units available as on 30.06.2023.

A sum of Rs. 10035.35 crore has been released under the Scheme so far since its inception, out of which Rs. 6591.04 crore (65.68 %) has been released since 201415.  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.  Besides  the construction of court halls and residential quarters, the scheme now also covers the construction of lawyers' halls, digital computer rooms and toilet complexes in the district and subordinate Courts. The scheme guidelines also include the Norms and Specifications for the Court Buildings which advises the state governments to comply with  the  existing  standards  of  CPWD  while  preparing  the  construction  plan  for ongoing court complexes and facilities and the new projects.

For providing suitable climate for ease of doing business in the country, the infrastructure of the subordinate courts is being constantly improved. Dedicated and designated commercial courts are functional in these court complexes with exclusive manpower to expeditiously dispose of commercial cases. However, project wise funds are  not  released  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  infrastructure  for subordinate judiciary.

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