Central assistance for fast-track courts to continue

Over 1,500 fast-track courts operating in various states will continue to get central assistance for another year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decided today.

Over 1,500 fast-track courts (FTCs) operating in various states will continue to get central assistance for another year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decided on Thursday.

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The CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the continuation of the scheme of central assistance for FTCs till March 31, 2011, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters in New Delhi.

A total of 1,562 FTCs are operating in various states and they would be provided Rs 4.80 lakh each for the fiscal 2010-11. A budgetary provision of Rs 75 crore has been made in the budget for the current fiscal.

Based on the recommendations of the 11th Finance Commission, the Finance Ministry had sanctioned Rs 502.90 crore to set up 1,734 FTCs to expeditiously dispose of long-pending cases in the sessions courts.

The FTCs were also mandated to look into cases relating to undertrials awaiting disposal of their cases. According to an estimate, there are around three lakh undertrials languishing in 1,500 prisons of the country.

The scheme was for a period of five years beginning 2000. After the expiry of the scheme, government approved continuation of 1,562 FTCs that were operational for another five years till March 31, 2010 with a provision of Rs 509 crore.

According to Law Ministry, out of 35.02 lakh cases transferred to FTCs since their inception in the year 2000, 28.38 lakh cases have been disposed of so far.