GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Law and Justice
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3633
ANSWERED ON MONDAY APRIL 29, 2013 

QUESTION
Funds for Infrastructure Development in Subordinate Courts 

3633. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

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

(a)   Whether it is a fact that Government provides Central funds to States for computerization, construction of buildings and other infrastructure of subordinate courts;

(b)   if so, the details thereof; and

 (c)    the Central funds made available to Karnataka so far, and the details of infrastructure created in subordinate courts of the State with these funds, so far?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)

(a) to (c): Development of judicial infrastructure in the States is primarily the responsibility of State Governments. In order to augment their resources, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for development of infrastructural facilities for judiciary has been in operation since 1993-94. The Scheme, prior to its modification in 2011, provided for release of Central grants on a matching sharing basis. However, with a view to enhance resources of the State Governments, the Government has increased the central share by revising the funding pattern from 50:50 to 75:25 (for States other than North Eastern States) under modified Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary from the year 2011-12 onwards. The funding pattern for North-Eastern States has been kept as 90:10 w.e.f 2010-11. The modified Centrally Sponsored Scheme covers subordinate courts only.

Prior to revision of funding under the scheme, Rs. 1245 crore was released to States/UTs from 1993-94 to 2010-11. After revision, Rs. 1303 crore has been released during last two years (Rs. 595 crore in 2011-12 and Rs. 708 crore in 2012-13). Since the inception of CSS for infrastructure facilities for judiciary from 1993-94, Central Government has released Rs. 171 crore to the State Government of Karnataka. As per the information available, State Government has constructed 247 Court buildings and 343 residential buildings for judicial officers / staff from Central and State funds.

For computerisation of courts and making them ICT enabled, Government is implementing e-Court Mission Mode Project for the district/subordinate Courts in the country and for up gradation of ICT infrastructure in superior courts. Under the Scheme, funds are given to National Informatics Centre (NIC) which is the implementing agency for Project. Rs. 571 crore has so far been released to NIC for the Project.