The cabinet committee on economic affairs today approved an amount of Rs 935 crore as the revised cost estimate for implementing the e-Courts project in the country. The cost approved earlier for the project in 2007, was Rs 441.8 crore.
e-Courts is one of the key mission mode projects (MMPs) under the national e-governance plan (NeGP). With the revised estimates the MMP will now be extended to 14249 courts in 3069 court complexes as against the coverage of 13348 courts in 2100 court complexes approved earlier.
 
Comprehensive computerization and ICT enablement of 12000 courts in 2100 court complexes will be completed by 31st March 2012. The remaining 2249 courts in 969 court complexes will be fully computerized by 31st March, 2014. Among other things, the revised cost estimates makes provisions for Wide Area Network connectivity and data entry of pending cases and providing for equipment for uninterrupted power supply for the ICT infrastructure at the courts.

An Empowered Committee will be constituted in the Department of Justice that will be responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance to the project.

The implementation of the project will result in transparent flow of information on case status, verdict of cases, etc. to the litigants and other stakeholders. It will also help in improving case flow and court management. The project also provides for establishment of video conferencing facilities in courts and prisons to facilitate production of under-trial prisoners.