Cabinet Notifies Continuation Of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) For Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary For Another 5 Years

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary for another five years from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026.

The entire cost of the scheme will be Rs 9000 crore out of which the Centre will contribute Rs 5357 crore including Rs 50 crore for the implementation of the Gram Nyayalayas Scheme as a part of the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms.

Cabinet approves continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary for further five years.

More details here: https://t.co/TbP2hKY6pD@PMOIndia@narendramodi@pib_law @KirenRijiju pic.twitter.com/v4bifLdJRh

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The notification issued on Wednesday noted that at present several courts are functioning in rented premises without basic amenities. As a result, adequate judicial infrastructure is essential for reduction of pendency and backlog of cases in Courts. Further the CSS scheme shall also augment digital facilities available in Courts which shall improve the overall functioning of the judiciary.

"This proposal will help in construction of 3800 court halls and 4000 residential units (both new and ongoing projects) for judicial officers of District and Subordinate Courts, 1450 lawyer halls, 1450 toilets complexes and 3800 digital computer rooms. This will help in improving the functioning and performance of the Judiciary in the country and will be a new step towards building better courts for a new India", the notification read.

Projects to be undertaken:

The following projects will be undertaken under the CSS Scheme for the period between April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026:

1) Construction of 3800 court halls and 4000 residential units for Judicial Officers (JO) in all the District and Subordinate with an expenditure of Rs 4500 crores

2) Construction of 1450 Lawyers' Halls in all the District and Subordinate Courts with an expenditure of Rs 700 crore

3) Construction of 1450 toilet complex in all the District and Subordinate Courts with an expenditure of Rs 47 crore

4) Construction of 3800 Digital Computer Rooms in District and Subordinate Courts with an expenditure of Rs 60 crore

5) Operationalization of Gram Nyayalayas in implementing states with an expenditure of Rs 50 crore

Monitoring mechanism:

The notification stated that an online monitoring system has been set up by the Department of Justice enabling data collection on the progress of completion of court halls and other measures undertaken. The online monitoring system "Nyaya-Vikas-2.0" has been developed with the technical assistance of ISRO. Further the online portal shall monitor physical and financial progress of such judicial infrastructure projects by geo-tagging completed and ongoing projects.

Quarterly review meetings are also to be held with representatives of different States and Union Territories as well as High Courts to review the status of implementation of the ongoing projects. Furthermore, regular State level meetings of the Monitoring Committee shall also be held by various High Courts, States and State Chief Secretaries to facilitate prompt construction.

Click Here To Read/Download Notification