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Parliamentary Panel Flags Slow Judicial Infrastructure Fund Use by States

A parliamentary standing committee has raised concerns over the slow pace of expenditure and utilization of funds by several states for developing judicial infrastructure like court halls and residential units. The committee emphasized the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely project completion and fund use. It also recommended incorporating gender-sensitive designs, including separate facilities for women and childcare spaces in court complexes. Furthermore, the panel stressed the urgent need to address deficiencies in digital infrastructure and network connectivity across all courts.

Key Points: Panel Flags Slow State Spending on Court Infrastructure Funds

  • Slow fund use for judicial infrastructure
  • Need for closer monitoring of schemes
  • Emphasis on gender-sensitive court design
  • Urgent upgrade of digital infrastructure in courts
2 min read

House panel flags slow fund utilisation by states to build judicial infrastructure​

A parliamentary committee reports slow fund utilization by states for building court halls and residential units, urging better monitoring and gender-sensitive design.

"The Committee expresses concern over the slow pace of expenditure and utilisation of funds in several States during 2025-26 - Parliamentary Committee Report"

New Delhi, March 16

The slow pace of expenditure and utilisation of funds in several States during 2025-26 for the creation of court halls and residential units has come under the scrutiny of a Parliamentary Standing Committee, which presented its report in both Houses on Monday, an official said.​

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, chaired by Brij Lal, MP, Rajya Sabha, noted in the report that the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary should be monitored more closely to ensure timely utilisation of funds and completion of projects.​

The Committee, in its 162nd Report on the Demands for Grants (2026-27) of the Department of Justice (Ministry of Law & Justice), also emphasised the need for gender-sensitive court design, including provision of separate and adequate facilities for women lawyers, litigants and staff, as well as dedicated child-care and crèche facilities within court complexes.​

The House panel also stressed the need to upgrade court infrastructure nationwide, the official said in a statement.​

The Committee noted that the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary has played a significant role in augmenting judicial infrastructure across the States and Union Territories, as reflected in the cumulative release of Central assistance and the creation of Court halls and residential units.​

"However, the Committee expresses concern over the slow pace of expenditure and utilisation of funds in several States during 2025-26, despite substantial releases made under the Scheme," said the report.​

"The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Department, in coordination with the State Governments and High Court Level Monitoring Committees, strengthen monitoring and review mechanisms to ensure timely utilisation of funds and completion of projects," it said.​

The House panel also recommended that the Department take proactive measures to address procedural and system-related bottlenecks, including capacity-building for the effective implementation of the SNA-SPARSH framework, so that the objectives of the Scheme are achieved.​

The Committee further recommended that deficiencies in digital infrastructure and the non-availability of proper network connectivity in courts be urgently addressed.​

It said that such facilities should be uniformly extended to High Courts and subordinate courts, rather than remaining confined to the Supreme Court of India.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Glad to see the focus on gender-sensitive design! Separate facilities and childcare in court complexes are long overdue. This will make the judicial process much more accessible for women. Hope the states implement this quickly.
R
Rohit P
Typical story. Funds are released from the centre, but the state machinery is so slow in spending it. Meanwhile, our local district court is crumbling. They talk about digital infrastructure, but we still have to submit physical copies of everything! 🤦‍♂️
S
Sarah B
While the committee's recommendations are sound, I respectfully think the problem is deeper. It's not just monitoring; it's about political will and administrative efficiency at the state level. Without fixing that, funds will keep getting stuck.
K
Karthik V
The point about digital infrastructure is key. Why should only the Supreme Court have top-notch tech? Every taluka court needs proper network and e-filing. This will reduce so much delay and physical paperwork. A step in the right direction.
N
Nisha Z
Good that they are flagging this. But will anything change? Reports come and go. We need strict deadlines and maybe even penalties for states that don't utilise funds. Justice delayed is justice denied, after all.

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