Question : NATIONAL MISSION FOR JUSTICE DELIVERY AND LEGAL REFORMS

(a) whether the Government has been implementing the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms in the country;

(b) if so. the details and the salient features thereof; and

(c) the achievements made under the Mission so far?

MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE AND COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)to(c) The overall goal of the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms is timely delivery of justice and enhancing accountability through structural changes. The National Mission was set up in August, 2011 and has a time frame of five years. The major initiative under the National Mission relate to Infrastructure Development for Subordinate Judiciary and Computerization of Courts. The Central Government has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 2,198 crores to State Governments and Union Territories for upgradation / construction of court complexes and residential units for judicial officers in the last three years. Under the eCourts Project 13,227 courts have been computerized by 31M March, 2014. Computerization of courts would enable the courts to exercise greater control over management of cases in the docket. It will also provide designated services to the litigants and the lawyers. In order to reduce government litigation in courts the Central Government has encouraged the States to notify their litigation policies which contain provisions for weeding out infructuous cases and promote dispute resolution through alternative mechanisms. The Government is also looking into the areas prone to excessive litigation for adopting suitable policy and legislative measures to curb such litigation. As a result of the concerted efforts made by all stake-holders the increasing trend of pendency of cases in subordinate courts has been checked.