The Union Cabinet, headed by Union Minister Anurag Thakur, has given the green light for the third phase of the eCourts Project, a key initiative aimed at improving access to justice using technology. The approval came on Wednesday, with a financial outlay of Rs 7,210 crore (approx. $869.1 million) to be implemented over four years.
The third phase of the eCourts Project is set to begin in 2023 and is designed to bring about a regime of maximum ease of justice. It aims to transition towards digital, online, and paperless courts through the digitization of all court records, including legacy records. Additionally, it seeks to implement universal e-filing/e-payments by saturating all court complexes with e-Sewa Kendras.
This phase will also introduce intelligent smart systems that will enable data-based decision-making for judges and registries when scheduling or prioritizing cases. The primary objective is to create a unified technology platform for the judiciary that will offer a seamless and paperless interface between the courts, litigants, and other stakeholders.
The government has stated that citizens who lack access to technology will be able to avail judicial services from eSewa Kendras, thereby bridging the digital divide. The digitization of court records will also result in more environmentally friendly processes by minimizing paper-based filings and reducing the physical movement of documents.
Furthermore, virtual participation in court proceedings could potentially reduce associated costs such as travel expenses for witnesses, judges, and other stakeholders. Court fees, fines, and penalties can be paid from anywhere at any time.
The eCourts Project was conceptualized based on the National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary – 2005. The plan was submitted by eCommittee, a body formed by the Government of India to advise the Chief Justice of India on technological communication and management-related changes.
The project, which is funded and monitored by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, has been under implementation since 2007. The first phase concluded in 2015, and the second phase, which was sanctioned with a budget of Rs 1,670 crore, wrapped up in 2023.
The allocation of Rs 7,000 crore for the third phase was included in the 2023 Union Budget. Speaking about this allocation earlier this year, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had noted that such endeavors will ensure that the court truly reaches out to every citizen of the country.
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