The government Thursday more than doubled the fund to implement the ambitious e-court project aimed at computerisation of all subordinate courts across the country — from Rs.441.8 crore to Rs.935 crore.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raised the fund for the e-court project, revising the older 2007 estimate, in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said an official release.
With the revised estimates, 14,249 courts in 3,069 court complexes would be computerised against the 2007 plans for 13,348 courts in 2,100 court complexes.
“Comprehensive computerisation and ICT enabling of 12,000 courts in 2,100 court complexes will be covered by March 31, 2012. The remaining 2,249 courts in 969 court complexes will be fully computerised by March 31, 2014,” the release said.
Among other things, the revised cost estimates makes provisions for Wide Area Network connectivity and data entry of pending cases, besides providing for equipment to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the ICT infrastructure at the courts, the release said.
The release said the CCEA also decided to constitute an empowered committee in the Department of Justice, which will be responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance in implementation of the project.
The computerisation of courts will result in transparent flow of information on case status, verdict of cases, etc. to the litigants and other stakeholders, it said.
The project also provides for establishment of video conferencing facilities in courts and prisons to facilitate production of under-trial prisoners.
