NEW FAMILY COURTS IN STATES
The States have begun setting up of a total of
34 new Family Courts during the current financial year 2002-2003
on cost sharing basis between the Centre and the States following
the recommendations of the Committee on Empowerment of Women in
its fifth Report. Accordingly, Chhattisgarh is setting up two
Family Courts, Gujarat three, Kerala seven, Madhya Pradesh seven,
Manipur one, Uttaranchal 13 and West Bengal one such Courts.
These Family Courts, being setting up, are based
on proposals received from these seven States. At present, 85
Family Courts exist all over the country.
The Centre has provided Rs. 1.7 crore for 50 per
cent assistance to running of Family Courts at the rate of Rs.
5 lakhs per court. In addition, funds are being provided from
the Plan side for construction of court buildings and residences
for judges of Family Courts at the rate of Rs. 10 lakhs per court,
which comes to Rs. 7.50 lakhs as 50 per cent contribution from
the Centre for construction of Family Courts and Rs. 2.5 lakh
on the same basis for construction of residence of Family Court
judge. Besides, the Centre, if necessary, will provide to States
and Union Territories funds even by re-appropriation under the
Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
The Family Courts are constituted under the Family
Courts Act, 1984 to resolve family disputes relating to marital
discords, maintenance of children and old and dependent parents
amicably without the help of lawyers to maintain the sanctity
and nobility of family with attendant privacy and intact dignity.
