M A I N   N E W S

Budget: Courts
Allocation for judicial reforms up
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28
After successful implementation of computerisation scheme in the Supreme Court and high courts, the Finance Minister has made a provision of higher allocations of Rs 488.35 crore for the computerisation of subordinate courts, improving infrastructure with them and introducing judicial reforms, in the 2007-08 Budget.

Of a total allocations of Rs 817 crore made for the Law and Justice Ministry, Rs 160.50 crore will be spent on implementing computerisation scheme in the districts and subordinate courts, Rs 279.35 crore on judicial reforms and Rs 48.50 crore on improving the infrastructure facilities with lower courts.

In the total budgetary outlay of Rs 817 crore for the ministry, Rs 572 crore would be in non-plan expenditure and Rs 245 crore as plan expenditure.

Over 1,500 fast track courts across the country run entirely with the financial back up from the Centre and helped a lot in disposing of long pending criminal cases, had been allocated Rs 75 crore to meet their day-to-day expenditure during 2007-08.

In view of the assembly elections due in some states, including Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh during the financial year, a provision of Rs 352 crore has been made for the purpose, which was in addition to Rs 20 crore expenses of the Election Commission.

Besides, Rs 394.41 crore had been provided for preparing the voters’ photo identity-cards.

As a special package for improving the infrastructure in subordinate courts in North-Eastern states, including Sikkim Rs 24.50 crore had been allocated for the purpose.