PRIVATIZATION OF ANCILLARY FUNCTIONS OF COURTS

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The Centre in consultation with the Chief Justices of High Courts has decided to privatize certain ancillary functions of courts to introduce element of speed , efficiency and maintenance of the equipment in courts.

To begin with, the project of privatization of certain ancillary functions of courts has been taken up in Mumbai subordinate courts .

Five areas have been identified for privatization. Accordingly, private vendors, who will man and maintain their equipment, will be paid by the court on the basis of actual work performed by them. The areas of privatization are filing of cases, supply of certified copies, electronic display of court cause lists and order of hearing in various courts, video-conferencing link between jail and the court, generation of notices, processes and their delivery.

With the fructification of privatization of ancillary works in Mumbai courts, the backlog of cases will reduce considerably and fresh cases disposed of expeditiously.

If the Mumbai experiment of privatization of certain ancillary works of courts succeeds, it will be extended all over the country in a phased manner. Consequently, the establishment costs in the subordinate judiciary will also reduce considerably.