Cabinet Approves Continuation Of Rs. 3,330 Crore Centrally-Sponsored Scheme To Boost Judicial Infrastructure

The Union Cabinet, on Thursday, reportedly approved the continuation of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for development of infrastructure facilities for judiciary beyond 12^th Five Year Plan.

The scheme, which was to end in March this year, will now continue till March 31, 2020. It will be implemented in a Mission Mode through National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, with an estimated outlay of Rs 3,320 crore.

The announcement was made by Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a press conference held after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr. Prasad explained that the scheme will increase the number of court halls and residential accommodations for Judges and Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Courts all over the country.

As per a tweet by Mr. Prasad, while the scheme was started in 1993, 43% of the sanctioned amount was released only during the last three years.

The Cabinet has also approved setting up of an online monitoring system with geo-tagging by the Department of Justice. This will facilitate data collection on the progress and completion of the Courtrooms and residential units under construction.