Lok Sabha Question No. 2198 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: E-Seva Kendras in Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2198 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 15 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## E-Seva Kendras in Courts

## 2198. SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

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

- (a) the salient features of E-Seva Kendras in Courts;
- (b) the details of the achievements made thereunder in the country so far;
- (c) the  details  of  the  facilities  being  provided  through  these  Kendras  in  the country;
- (d) the details of such E-Seva Kendras set up by the Government in Rajasthan so far; and
- (e) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilised for setting up of E-Seva Kendras in Rajasthan so far including the target set in this regard?

## 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): Under eCourts Mission Mode Project Phase II, eSewa Kendras have been established  in  High  Courts  and  District  Courts  across  the  country.  These  centers located  in  court  complexes,  have  been  instituted  to  bridge  the  digital  divide  and extend assistance to lawyers and litigants. These kendras aim to serve as a one-stop centre offering free of cost information on court cases/orders/judgments, facilitation of court related matters, and e-filing services, particularly benefiting those who may lack access to technology or reside in remote areas.

A  total  of  875  eSewa  Kendras  have  been  established  for  District  Courts nationwide, underscoring the positive impact of this initiative in providing valuable services  to  legal  practitioners  and  litigants.  High  Court  wise  details  of  eSewa Kendras set up in District Courts across the country under the project is placed at Annexure-I.

Following services are provided at eSewa Kendras for litigants and lawyers:

- Handling inquiries about case status, next date of hearing and other details.
- Facilitate online Applications for certified copies.
- Facilitate e-Filing of petitions right from the scanning of hard copy petitions, appending  eSignatures,  uploading  them  onto  CIS  and  generation  of  filing number.
- To assist in online purchase of e-Stamp papers/ePayments.
- To help in applying and obtaining Aadhaar based digital signature.
- Publicise and assist in downloading the Mobile App of eCourts for Android and IOS.
- Facilitate  in  the  booking  of  eMulakat  appointments  for  meeting  relatives  in jail.
- Handling queries about Judges on leave.
- Guide  people  on  how  to  avail  free  legal  services  from  the  District  Legal Service Authority, High Court Legal Service Committee and Supreme Court Legal Service Committee.
- Facilitate disposal of traffic challan in virtual Courts as also online compounding of traffic challans and other petty offences.
- Explaining  the  method  of  arranging  and  holding  a  video  conference  court hearing.
- Provide soft copies of judicial orders/judgments via email, WhatsApp or any other available mode.

The  establishment  of  eSewa  Kendras  thus  facilitates  virtual  hearings,  scanning services,  and  access  to  eCourts  facilities,  enhancing  overall  efficiency  and  thus contributing to time saving, eliminating extensive travel, and reducing costs.

(d) & (e): Under eCourts Mission Mode Project Phase II, Rs.16,02,000was released by Government of India to High Court of Rajasthan for setting up 3 eSewa Kendras in Rajasthan (1 in Rajasthan High Court, 1 in High Court Bench at Jaipur and 1 in District  Court  of  Rajasthan)  which  are  functional.  However,  under  Phase  III  of eCourts Mission Mode Project, 374 eSewa Kendras at a budgetary outlay of Rs. 32.83 crore have been provided for the State of Rajasthan.

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## Annexure-I

Statement referred to in reply of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2198 for 15/12/2023 regarding E-Seva Kendras in Courts. The High Courtwise detail of eSewa Kendras set up under the project across the country is as under:

| Sr.No.   | HighCourt                 | Functioninge-Sewa Kendras in District Courts   |
|----------|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Allahabad                 | 74                                             |
| 2        | Andhra Pradesh            | 0                                              |
| 3        | Bombay                    | 43                                             |
| 4        | Calcutta                  | 7                                              |
| 5        | Chhattisgarh              | 26                                             |
| 6        | Delhi                     | 9                                              |
| 7        | Gauhati-Arunachal Pradesh | 24                                             |
| 8        | Gauhati-Assam             | 78                                             |
| 9        | Gauhati- Mizoram          | 8                                              |
| 10       | Gauhati- Nagaland         | 11                                             |
| 11       | Gujarat                   | 1                                              |
| 12       | Himachal Pradesh          | 11                                             |
| 13       | Jammu and Kashmir         | 10                                             |
| 14       | Jharkhand                 | 24                                             |
| 15       | Karnataka                 | 24                                             |
| 16       | Kerala                    | 162                                            |
| 17       | Madhya Pradesh            | 25                                             |
| 18       | Madras                    | 21                                             |
| 19       | Manipur                   | 15                                             |
| 20       | Meghalaya                 | 12                                             |
| 21       | Orissa                    | 109                                            |
| 22       | Patna                     | 37                                             |
| 23       | Punjab and Haryana        | 108                                            |
| 24       | Rajasthan                 | 1*                                             |
| 25       | Sikkim                    | 10                                             |
| 26       | Telangana                 | 0                                              |
| 27       | Tripura                   | 15                                             |
| 28       | Uttarakhand               | 10                                             |
|          | TOTAL                     | 875                                            |