Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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.

Key Points

• The total cost of Rs.9000 crore has been approved, out of which Central share will be Rs.5357 crore including Rs.50 crore for the Gram Nyayalayas Scheme.
• The scheme will be implemented in a Mission Mode through National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms.
• 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.

Need

• The notification 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.

Significance of CSS for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary

• It 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.
• It will help in improving the functioning and performance of the Judiciary in the country.
• It will be a new step towards building better courts for a new India.
• It will increase the availability of well-equipped Court Halls and Residential Accommodations for Judges / Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Courts all over the country.
• The courts are being provided with better amenities enabling win-win situation for both the judiciary and the lawyers and also to ease of living of common man.
• The digital computer rooms will improve digital capabilities and give impetus to the digitization initiation being pursued as a part of India’s Digital India vision.

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.