In an effort to improve the justice delivery system in the country, the Union law and justice ministry has proposed to spend `15,000 crores in the coming four years to upgrade infrastructure in courts.
Sources said that a Cabinet note for the proposal is expected to be put before the Union council of ministers soon. The money will be utilised for upgrading facilities at high courts and subordinate courts across the country where a majority of cases are pending.
A provision of `5,000 crores is for developing infrastructure in high courts and the government wants to spend `10,000 crores to improve infrastructure in subordinate courts. Sources said that the 13th Finance Commission has provided `5,000 crores for developing infrastructure in high courts. “The ministry now proposes to seek an additional `10,000 crores from the government for improving infrastructure in sub-ordinate courts. After an approval is given by the Cabinet, the ministry aims to implement the programme over a period of next four years,” sources added.
Currently, there are approximately 3.5 crore cases pending at the three levels of judicial system. According to the latest government figures, there are over 53,000 cases pending in Supreme Court, over 40 lakh cases before high courts and over 2.7 crore cases pending in subordinate courts of the country.