Investment In Justice

New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) Conscious that India has spent relatively less on judiciary, authorities have provided Rs 563.95 crore for infrastructure as part of judicial reforms over the past three years.

This was indicated by Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Mr Venkatapathy cited efforts to introduce information and communication technology in Indian courts and comprehensive computerisation of District and Subordinate Courts.

The Minister also touched on development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary as part of implementing judicial reforms.

He said the budget estimates in the last three years for all such plan schemes included Rs 140 crore in 2004-05, Rs 220 crore in 2005-06 and Rs 203.95 crore in 2006-07.

The First National Judicial Pay Commission led by Justice K J Shetty had reported in November 1999 that India spent barely 0.2 per cent of her Gross National Product on judiciary.

In comparison, the United States spent 1.4 per cent, Britain, 4.3 per cent and Singapore 1.2 per cent.

UNI