Ministry plans 5,000 rural courts

In an effort to reduce the growing pendency of cases in courts, the Union law and justice ministry has begun the process to set up 5,000 rural courts across the country. Official sources stated that the notification to set up gram nyayalayas will come into effect on October 2. The ambitious project seeks to set up courts at the panchayat level to dispense speedy justice.

The Centre is expected to bear the cost of the courts to be set up at the district headquarters and in taluks. While soon after the notification, the state governments will initiate a process to set up rural courts. The plan to establish gram nyayayalas will be implemented in a phased manner. Sources stated that by the next fiscal year government plans to set up 200 such courts. With the number of these courts set to go up to 5,000 in the next three years.

With more than 3.11 crore cases pending across the country, government expects rural courts will help get justice delivered at the door steps of the common man.

Sources stated that nearly 2.71 crore of the 3.11 crore pending cases can be attributed to subordinate courts.The gram nyayayalas will be expected to deal with cases at a level below the subordinate courts but in the same capacity.