(a) whether the Government has implemented the centrally sponsored scheme to develop infrastructure facilities for Judiciary in Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds allocated/released to the State Government of Maharashtra by the Union Government and the funds utilised under the said scheme during the last three years; and
(d) the extent to which the Judicial infrastructure has improved in Jharkhand till date and the details thereof?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) & (b): The Union Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary by providing financial assistance to State Governments / UTs in the prescribed fund sharing pattern between Centre and States. The Scheme is being implemented since 1993-94. It covers the construction of court buildings and residential accommodations for Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Judiciary. Till date, Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 7,453 crore to States/UTs since the inception of the Scheme. Out of this, Rs. 680.84 crore has been sanctioned to the State Government of Maharashtra.
(c): The Status of funds released by the Central Government under the Scheme and the amount of Utilization Certificates submitted by the State Government of Maharashtra against the funds released during the last three years and the current financial year is as follows:
(In Rs. crore)
State Funds released during Amount of Utilization Certificate(s) furnished for the funds released since 2016-17.
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 (as on 6.3.2020)
Maharashtra 49.75 50.00 10.58 21.09 118.41
(d): The primary responsibility of development of Infrastructure facilities for judiciary rests with the State Government to augment the resources of the State Governments. The funds are released under the Scheme for construction of court buildings and residential accommodations for Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Judiciary. As per information available, the number of court halls in Jharkhand has increased from 598 in 2017 to 640 as on 06.03.2020. Similarly, the number of residential units for Judicial Officers in Jharkhand has increased from 460 in 2017 to 567 as on 06.03.2020. In addition, presently 21 court halls and 63 residential units are under construction in the State of Jharkhand.