Chapter: Gist of Press Information Bureau Articles

Topic: Tackling The Backlog of Cases in The Courts

Q. What is the data of pending cases in courts?

3 crore cases are pending in the courts. Of these, 74% are less than 5 years old. The Chief Justice of India has expressed the need of making the judicial system 5+ free by addressing 26% of the old cases which are of more than 5 years.

Establishment of National Court Management System has been notified by the Chief Justice of India. This would be addressing issues of case management, court management, setting standards for measuring performance of the courts and a national system of judicial statistics in the country.

Q. National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms?

Government has set up a National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms which will be addressing the issues of delays and arrears in the judicial system as well enforcing better accountability at all levels through a variety of methods which will include setting and monitoring of performance standard, enhancement of capacity through training at various levels etc.

Q. What is the development in the establishing Gram Nyayalayas?

The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 has been enacted for establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at the grass roots level for providing access to justice to citizens at their doorstep.

The Central Government is providing assistance to States towards non-recurring expenses for setting up of Gram Nyayalayas subject to a ceiling of Rs. 18.00 lakh per Gram Nyayalaya. The Central Government also provides assistance towards recurring expenses for running these Gram Nyayalayas subject to a ceiling of Rs. 3.20 lakh per Gram Nyayalaya per year for the first three years.
As informed by the State Governments, 153 Gram Nyayalayas have been notified already. Out of these, 151 Gram Nyayalayas have started functioning.

Q. All India Judicial Service (AIJS)?

The Constitution was amended in 1977 to provide for an All India Judicial Service (AIJS) under Article 312 of the Constitution. There has been overwhelming support in favour of AIJS later also by the Law Commission in its Reports, the First National Judicial Pay Commission, Committee on Centre State Relations and Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee. However, consensus on having AIJS has not been possible in the consultations held with the State Governments and the State High Courts. But the Government proposes to pursue it by offering a more plausible and acceptable formulation of AIJS.

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