Lok Sabha Question No. 2255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Gram Nyayalayas in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Jayadev Galla, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2255

TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

Gram Nyayalayas in Andhra Pradesh

## 2255.     SHRI JAYADEV GALLA: SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

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

- (a) the number of Gram Nyayalayas that have been notified and set up in Andhra Pradesh and the number out of them currently operational, location wise;
- (b) the total number of cases filed and currently pending in each of the operational Gram Nyayalayas in Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to expedite the resolution of pending cases in the Gram Nyayalayas of Andhra Pradesh;
- (d)  whether  there  are  any  plans  to  establish  additional  Gram  Nyayalayas  in  other locations in Andhra Pradesh; and
- (e) if so, the details of the proposed  locations and the timeline for their establishment?

## ANSWER

THE 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 (e): In order to provide access to justice to the citizens at their doorsteps, the Central  Government  had  enacted  the  Gram  Nyayalayas  Act,  2008.In  terms  of Section  3(1)  of  the  Gram  Nyayalayas  Act,  2008,  the  State  Governments,  after consultation with their respective High Courts, may, by notification, establish one or more Gram Nyayalayas for every Panchayat at intermediate level or a group of contiguous  Panchayats  at  intermediate  level  in  a  district  or  where  there  is  no Panchayat  at  intermediate  level  in  any  State,  for  a  group  of  contiguous  Gram Panchayats. Gram Nyayalayas are deemed to be a Court of Judicial Magistrate of First  Class  with  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  as  provided  in  the  Schedule  to  the Act. Central Government and State Government have the power to add or omit any item  in  such  Schedules.  However,  the  Act  does  not  make  setting  up  of  Gram Nyayalayas mandatory.

Thus, it is up to States to notify and operationalize Gram Nyayalayas in their State,  as  per  their  need  and  urgency.  As  per  the  scheme  guidelines,  the  Central Government  provides  nonrecurring  expenses  for  setting  up  these  courts  with  an assistance  limited  to  Rs.18  lakhs  per  Gram  Nyayalayaas  a  one-time  measure,  as well as recurring expenses of these courts subject to a ceiling of Rs.3.2 lakhs per court per annum during the first three years of operation. After the year 2021, the Central assistance funds for Gram Nyayalayas is provided on reimbursement mode.

So far as the State of Andhra Pradesh is concerned, it had notified 42 Gram Nyayalayas  for  which  a  sum  of  Rs.4.36  crore  was  provided  to  the  State  in  the financial year 2020-21. However, no Gram Nyayalaya has been made functional by the state so far. The Department of Justice has been holding review meetings with the State Governments and High Courts including the State of Andhra Pradesh for taking urgent action for operationalization of the already notified Gram Nyayalayas. There is at present no proposal with the Central Government for establishment of additional Gram Nyayalayas in Andhra Pradesh.

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