(a) whether the Government is aware that justice has become very costly due to long process
of litigation and expenditure included therein;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the step taken by the Government to ensure speedy and affordable justice to commonman?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE (DR. M.VEERAPPA MOILY)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of the Unstarred Question no. 3206
for answer in the Lok Sabha on 12.08.2010
(i) Government has taken various measures to reduce pendency of cases in courts. With a view
to ensuring expeditious disposal of cases, a `Vision Statement` indicating an Action Plan was
presented in the `National Consultation for strengthening of Judiciary towards Reducing Pendency
and Delays` organized by the Department of Justice in October, 2009.
To implement the Action Plan, the Government has, in principle, decided to set up a `National Mission
for Delivery of Justice and Legal Reforms`. It is expected that the period of pendency of cases in the
courts will reduce from an average of 15 years to an average of three years by 2012, after the National
Mission gives effect to its strategies to fully implement the Action Plan envisaged in the Vision Statement.
The Department of Justice is currently in the process of finalizing the matter of setting up of the National
Mission.
(ii) The Government has also accepted the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission to provide
a grant of Rs.5000 crore to the States for improving the justice delivery system in the country. The first
instalment of Rs. 500 crores has already been released to the States. With the help of these grants, the
States can, inter-alia, set up morning/ evening/ shift/ special magistrates` courts, also organize more
Lok Adalats and strengthen alternate dispute resolution mechanism with a view to reducing court pendencies.
(iii) Fast Track Courts were set-up to dispose of long pending sessions cases and the cases involving
under-trial prisoners.
(iv) Government has enacted the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, which provides for setting up of Gram Nyayalyas at
Panchayat level. Over 5000 Gram Nyayalayas are expected to be established across the country. As on 317.10,
the States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa and Maharashtra, taken together, have notified 144 Gram
Nyayalayas out of which 47 have been made operational till date. These Nyayalayas will provide affordable
and accessible justice to the common man particularly those in the rural areas.