The Family Courts disposed of 1,54,513 cases throughout the country
during the last three years. Keeping in view, the number of cases
disposed of by the Family Courts, it is expected that the setting
up of new Family Courts will reduce burden of pending cases in
the subordinate courts to some extent.
At present, 96 Family Courts are functioning in the country.
These courts, constituted under the Family Courts Act, 1984, adjudicate
amicably, without the formal help of lawyers, family disputes
relating to marriage, maintenance of children and aged parents.
Following the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee
on Empower of Women in its 5th Report, the Centre has
addressed the States and Union Territories urging them to set
up more Family Courts so that at least, one Family Court is established
in each district for settling cases of family disputes. As a sequel
to that, the Centre has also decided to extent grant on the basis
of 50 per cent sharing by the States not only for the construction
of court rooms but also for meeting 50 per cent of the running
expenses. These grants are limited to Rs. 10 lakh per court for
construction of the court room, residence of judge and Rs. 5 lakh
for annual running expense of new Family Courts being set up during
the current financial year 2002-2003. Thirty-four additional Family
Courts are being set up in the current financial year under the
new scheme.
