Rs 9000 Crores Approved For Judicial Infrastructure, Says Law Minister; CJI Repeats Need For Judicial Infrastructure Corporation

The Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday that the Union Government has approved a sum of Rupees 9000 crores for the development of judicial infrastructure. The Minister added that he has taken note of the suggestions made by the Chief Justice of India to give thrust to the development of judicial infrastructure.

"I have taken note of the suggestions made yesterday by the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India about the need for giving thrust on the judicial infrastructure. In this context, I would like to inform that the Government has already approved the continuation of the centrally sponsored scheme for development of infrastructural facilities for the judiciary at a cost of Rs 9000 crore rupees", the Law Minister said, while speaking at the Valedictory Function of the Constitution Day Celebrations at New Delhi.

He also mentioned that various sections of society were concerned with the pendency of cases. Efficacy of judicial infrastructure is essential for the reduction of backlog of cases, the Minister highlighted. He added that the present government is sensitive to the needs of strengthening the judicial infrastructure and is committed to investing maximum resources for developing next generation infrastructure.  The Minister also spoke about the utilization of artificial intelligence in judicial process.

"Artificial Intelligence can help in implementing court management tools like case flow management, case management clearance rates, online information of case laws and automated algorithm based support systems which can all add to efficiency of judicial functioning. Of course trained machines, however intelligent, cannot replace human judges, nevertheless they may help the judges in the decision making process by giving calculated and unbiased opinions. Synchronization of AI with human wisdom can help bring speed to delivery of justice", the Minister said.

Minister Rijiju also said that the Government is bringing a law on mediation to facilitate quick disposal of cases through Alternate Dispute Resolution(ADR) mechanisms.

"As ADR is a priority area for the Government, the Government has been taking many policy initiatives for promotion and strengthening of ADR mechanism through amendments in the existing laws and by enacting news laws for facilitating thick, quick disposal of disputes outside of the traditional court system. As continuation of this exercise, a standalone law on Meditation is under consideration", he said.

Funds not the problem, utilization is; Special Purpose Vehicle in the form of Judicial Infrastructure Corporation needed : CJI

The Chief Justice of India, in his speech during the function,thanked the Law Minister for approving the funds. However, he added that the problem was not the funds but their under-utilization. He reiterated the need for a Special Purpose Vehicle in the form of Judicial Infrastructure Authority to ensure proper utilization of the funds.

"I thank the Hon'ble Law Minster for mentioning that the Government of India has granted around Rs 9000 crores for infrastructure. I request the Law Minister to create a special purpose vehicle. Yesterday, I mentioned the reason. Money is not the issue. Funds is not the issue. Ultimately the money or the functions sanctioned by the Government of India under the central scheme has to reach and it has to be spent. Unfortunately, some of the States are not giving their share of money as a contributing share. So no infrastructure schemes are taking off. So this is the reason why I am strongly advocating the creation of a National Judicial Infrastructure Corporation. I request once again, please consider this", the CJI said.

The CJI also requested the Law Minister to expedite the filling up of vacancies.

It may be noted that the CJI has raised the need for a special entity to develop judicial infrastructure, a National Judicial Infrastructure Corporation on earlier occasions too.

"I must acknowledge that the Union Government has been making reasonable budgetary allocation through its Centrally Sponsored Scheme for this purpose. But, due to non-availability of matching grants by some States, the budget allocated remains underutilized. I feel the situation calls for the creation of special purpose vehicles, namely National and State Judicial Infrastructure Authorities in the lines of NALSA and SLSAs", the CJI had said yesterday in the presence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Constitution Day event.

Read full text of CJI's speech here.

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