CJI Ramana wishes for judicial financial autonomy as it is an integral aspect if we want a different outcome from our Judicial Systems.
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana expressed that - "if we want a different outcome from the judicial system, we cannot continue to work in these circumstances. An integral aspect, in this regard, is the financial autonomy of the judiciary. I have, therefore, sent a proposal for the establishment of the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority to the Ministry of Law and Justice, and I am hoping for a positive response soon. I urge the Hon'ble Minister of Law and Justice to expedite the process and ensure that the proposal to create the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority (NJIAI) with statutory backing is taken up in the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament. Institutionalising the mechanism for augmenting and creating state-of-the-art judicial infrastructure is the best gift that we can think of giving to our people and our country in this 75th year of our Independence."
He was speaking on Saturday, at the Inaugural Function of 'B' & 'C' Wings of the High Court Annexe Building of Bombay High Court, Bench at Aurangabad.
"Institutionalising the mechanism for augmenting and creating a state of art judicial infrastructure is the best gift which we can think of giving to our people and our country in these 75 years of Independence. Something that I find praiseworthy is that the Aurangabad bench of the High Court of Bombay has taken proactive steps towards the conservation of the environment. So sustainable architecture and design should form a model for the rest of the country to follow", he continued.
"As regards the state of judicial infrastructure in this country, the CJ presented some "hard facts and figures"- 'The sanctioned strength of judicial officers in the country is 24,280 while the number of functioning court halls is 20,143 (including 620 rented halls); Some 26 percent court complexes lack toilets for women and 16 percent lack even men’s toilets; only 54 percent of court complexes receive purified drinking water; just 5 percent have basic medical facilities; only 51 percent have a library; only 32 per cent of courtrooms have separate record rooms; just 27 percent have computers on the judge’s dais with videoconferencing facilities.
"Good judicial infrastructure for courts in India has always been an afterthought. It is because of the mindset that courts in India still operate from dilapidated structures making it difficult to effectively perform their function. Judicial infrastructure is important for improving access to justice and to meet the growing demands of the public that is more aware of its rights and is developing economically, socially, and culturally. It is baffling to note that the improvement and maintenance of judicial infrastructure are still being carried out in an unplanned and ad hoc manner", told the CJ.
"Courts now depend on the executive for all their fiscal requirements. Justice Ramana regretted that many courts in the country lacked adequate court halls, toilets, or seating arrangements," which he said was affecting the justice delivery system.
“An effective judiciary can aid in the effective growth of the economy. According to international research published in 2018, failure to deliver timely justice cost the country as much as 9 percent of annual GDP,” he said.
"Cases relating to commercial disputes, land acquisition, and compensation are among those that have major financial implications. Moreover, the impact of an under-supported judiciary is also seen on foreign investments. Without adequate infrastructure we cannot aspire to fill this gap,” Justice Ramana said.
“If we want a different outcome from the judicial system, we cannot continue to work in these circumstances. An integral aspect, in this regard, is financial autonomy of the judiciary.”