Question : FINANCIAL AUTONOMY TO JUDICIARY



(a) whether the Government propose to provide financial autonomy to the judiciary for the better administration of justice as demanded by the Chief Justice of India; and

(b) if so, the details in this regard?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER FOR LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS
(SHRI RAM JETHMALANI)


(a) & (b): One of the resolutions passed by the Chief Justices Conference presided over by the Chief Justice of India in September, 1992 and November, 1997 was that the Chief Justice of High Court may be accorded power to expend, appropriate and re-appropriate money within the budget allocation in respect of the High Court and the courts under its control after keeping Government informed. Further, in the Chief Justices Conference of December, 1999, it was resolved that the High Courts should be given full financial autonomy for independence of the judiciary.
The Government of India has requested all the State Governments/UT Administrations to take appropriate action on the recommendations made by the chief Justices Conference and by the three Judge Committee constituted by the Chief Justice of India to consider the issue.