Setting up of subordinate courts including Fast Track Courts (FTCs) and their functioning falls within the domain of the State/UT Governments in consultation with their respective High Courts. Allocation of funds for such courts is required to be done by the State Governments as per their need and resources.The 14th Finance Commission set up by the Government of India had recommended the setting up of 1800 FTCs during 2015-2020 for speedy trial of specific cases of heinous nature, civil cases related to women, children, senior citizen, disabled persons, persons infected with terminal ailments etc. and property related cases pending for more than 5 years. The Finance Commission had urged upon the State Governments to utilize enhanced fiscal space available through tax devolution for this purpose. The Union Government has also urged the State Governments/UTs to allocate funds for the setting up of FTCs from the Financial Year 2015-16 onward. In this regard, the State Governments/ UTs have set up 863 FTCs as on 31.10.2024. The State/UT-wise details of number of FTCs to be set up and made functional as of October, 2024 is given at Annexure. The Union Government has repeatedly urged the State/UT Governments since 2015-16 onwards to set up more FTCs to achieve the target. The setting up of more FTCs has also featured as one of the agenda items in the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices.

To implement the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and comply with the directives of the Supreme Court to establish Special Courts exclusively dealing with POCSO Act cases, the Government devised a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in August 2019. This Scheme aimed to establish Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts nationwide for expeditious disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases.

The FTSC Scheme was launched initially for one-year w.e.f. 02.10.2019 spread over two Financial Years 2019-20 and 2020-21 at a total outlay of ₹ 767.25 Cr. with₹ 474 Cr. as Central Share. The Cabinet in its meeting held on 04.08.2021 further approved the continuation of the Scheme for two more financial years (FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23) up to 31.03.2023 at a total outlay of ₹ 1572.86 Cr. with ₹ 971.70 Cr. as central share.The Union Cabinet has now extended the Scheme for another three years i.e. from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2026 at a total outlay of Rs. 1952.23 cr. with Rs. 1207.24 cr. as Central Share.

The Central share is to be met from the Nirbhaya Fund. The fund-sharing pattern of the Scheme is 60:40 (Centre: State) and 90:10 for the North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States/UTs. However, 100% Central fund is provided for Union Territories without legislature.As per the inputs received from the High Courts, as on 31.10.2024, 750 FTSCs including 408 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs. These courts have disposed more than 2,87,000 cases as on 31.10.2024.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law & Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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SB/DP/ARJ

State/UT-wise status of allocated and functional FTCs as of October, 2024