Lok Sabha Question No. 3906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-11
Subject: Infrastructural Problems in Districts Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3906 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 11 TH  AUGUST, 2023

Infrastructural Problems in Districts Courts

## 3906. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  number  of  districts  courts  are  facing infrastructural problems leading hindrance to provide justice for the all;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  prepared  any  roadmap  for  taking  initiatives  to strengthen judicial infrastructure in these courts and 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 (c):  The primary responsibility for development of infrastructure facilities for judiciary rests with the State Governments. To supplement the resources of the State Governments/UTs,  the  Union  Government  has  been  implementing  a  Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  (CSS)  for  the  Development  of  Infrastructure  Facilities  for  the Judiciary since 1993-94 by providing financial assistance to them 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.

The Government is sensitive to the needs of building better infrastructure for the judicial officers of the lower and subordinate judiciary. 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.

Apart  from  this,  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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