(a) whether nearly 3,000 court halls are being constructed under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of infrastructure for Subordinate Judiciary and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of court halls and residential units proposed to be constructed in Andhra Pradesh, district-wise; and
(c) the time by which all these halls/units are likely to be completed and come into use?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (c): The primary responsibility of development of infrastructure facilities for judiciary rests with the State Governments. To augment the resources of the State Governments, the Union Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities in district and subordinate courts by providing financial assistance to State Governments / UTs in the prescribed fund sharing pattern. 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. The scheme has been extended from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 9,000 crore including central share of Rs. 5,307crore. Besides the construction of court halls and residential quarters, the scheme now also covers the construction of lawyers’ halls, digital computer rooms and toilet complexes in the district and subordinate courts. Construction of a total of 3,800 Court Halls are estimated as per the above financial outlay.
As already stated, the aim of the scheme is to supplement the resources of the State Governments. The project-wise allocation is not made under the scheme. However, as per the records made available by the Andhra Pradesh High Court as on 30.06.2022 there are 623 court halls and 599 Residential Units available against the current sanctioned strength of 601 Judges/Judicial Officer of District and Subordinate Courts. Further, as per Nyaya Vikas II web Portal as on 30.06.2022 there are 99 court halls and 16 residential units are under construction. Though, the timeline of the projects under the scheme is not defined by the Department, however, the scheme guidelines mandate the States to indicate the starting and end dates of each specific project while seeking the release of central funds under the scheme.
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