Pursuant to the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2018, the Central Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including 389 exclusive Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (e-POCSO) Courts for speedy disposal of cases related to rape and POCSO Act since October 2019. The Scheme, initially, was for a period of one year spread over two Financial Years 2019-20 and 2020-21. The total cost of the project was Rs.767.25 Cr. with Rs.474 Cr. as Central Share to be funded from Nirbhaya Fund. The Third Party Evaluation of the scheme was undertaken by the National Productivity Council which recommended for continuation of the scheme for 2 years.

The Cabinet has approved continuation of the scheme up to 31^st March 2023 with a budgetary outlay of Rs.1572.86 Cr. including Rs.971.70 Cr. as Central Share. As per information made available by High Courts 764 FTSCs including 411 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 28 States/UTs which have disposed more than 1,44,000 cases while 1,98,563 cases are pending in these courts as on 31^st January 2023. 28 States/UTs have joined the scheme. In 21 States/UTs FTSCs are fully functional, in 7 States FTSCs are partially operational while 3 States/UTs i.e., Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and A&N Island are yet to join the Scheme. An amount of Rs.633.7 Cr. have been released to the States/UTs since inception of the scheme up to 31.03.2023.

For further continuation of the scheme, as a first step, considering the paramount importance of safety and security of women and children, a third-party evaluation of FTSCs have been undertaken by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) which has inter-alia recommended for continuation of the scheme.

          This information was given by the Union Minister of Law & Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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