Lok Sabha Question No. 366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Schemes for Improvement in Judicial System
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Satyadev Pachauri

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 366

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 21 ST  JULY, 2023

## Schemes for Improvement in Judicial System

†366. SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI:

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

- (a) the details of schemes started by the Government to improve judicial system
- during the last three years, year-wise;
- (b)  the  details  of  targets  set  and  achievements  made  under  each  of  the  said schemes during the said period;
- (c) the details of proposals received from the State of Uttar Pradesh and approved by the Union Government in this regard; and
- (d)  the  details  of  funds  allocated  and  utilized  for  the  implementation  of  these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year, scheme and Statewise?

## 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  Department  of  Justice  is  implementing  several  schemes  like Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Judicial Infrastructure, Gram Nyayalayas, Fast Track Special Courts and Central Sector Scheme  of e Courts for improvement in Judicial System but all these schemes are more than 3years old.

During  the  period  of  last  3  years,  Department  of  Justice  has  launched  a scheme on Access to Justice titled 'Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India', for a period of five years (2021-2026), with a total budget of Rs 250 Crore. The scheme aims to provide citizen-centric delivery of legal  services  with  use  of  technology.  It  has  three  components  which  includes Tele-  Law:  Mainstreaming  Legal  Aid  to  the  Grassroots;  Nyaya  Bandhu  (Pro Bono  Legal Services) and Pan India legal literacy and legal awareness programme. The Tele-Law aims to strengthen pre-litigation advice and consultation,  between  the  citizens  and  Panel  Lawyers.  The  Tele-Law  service  is available  across  2.5  lakh  Gram  Panchayats  across  the  country  at  the  Common Service Centers. It is also available via Tele-Law Citizen Mobile APP (available on Android & iOS platform) and UMANG portal. As on 30th June,2023 the TeleLaw has enabled advice to 46 lakh beneficiaries.

The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) program provides to create a decentralized  pan  India  dispensation  framework  to  deliver  Pro  Bono  legal services. It aims  to connect  registered Pro Bono  lawyers  with  registered beneficiaries through Nyaya Bandhu Mobile APP (available on Android & iOS platform)  and  UMANG  portal.  As  on  30th  June,2023  10,241  Lawyers  have enrolled on the Nyaya Bandhuprogramme. Pro Bono Clubs has been started under 69 Law schools, across the country to instill the young legal minds with Pro Bono legal services.

In addition, to ensure legal empowerment of citizens, Department of Justice is implementing Pan India legal literacy and legal awareness programme, through various State agencies and National Law  school's etc. Approx. 4 Lakh participants has benefitted through various initiatives of legal literacy and legal awareness  programmes  being  implemented  under  it  (both  online  and  physical mode).

Especially  in  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh,  Tele-Law  service  is  operational across  19,560  Common  Service  Centers  and  has  enabled  advice  to  8  lakh beneficiaries  in  75  districts,  till  30th  June  2023.  649  Lawyers  have  joined  the Nyaya Bandhu Programme and 6 Law colleges have constituted Pro Bono Clubs till  30th  June  2023.  Moreover,  DoJ  is  implementing  training  and  awareness programme  on  issues  related  to  gender-based  violence  in  six  districts  of  Uttar Pradesh  which  includes  Prayagraj,  Mathura,  Varanasi,  Pratapgarh,  Aligarh  and Bulandshahr.  The  project  is  being  implemented  by  National  Law  University, Delhi.  Awareness  programmes  have  been  conducted  on  various  topics  like Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013; Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Crimes  like female foeticide, child sexual offences, dowry  death, cruelty etc.Since  2021,  860+  participants  including  villagers,  law  enforcing  agencies, college and school students have been covered under the various legal awareness programmes.

Under DISHA SCHEME, during financial  year  2021-2022,  2022-2023  and 2023-2024, funds amounting to Rs. 87 crore, Rs. 40 crore and Rs. 48.15 crore were sanctioned, out of which Rs. 87 crore, Rs. 39.96 crore and Rs. 47.14 crore were utilized in respective year.

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