Context: The Union Cabinet on November 29 approved the continuation of fast track courts, dedicated to the dispensation of justice in cases of sexual offenses, for a period of three years.

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• Allocation: The total cost of running the scheme for the three years would be ₹1,952.23 crore out of which ₹1,207.24 crore would be borne by the Centre and ₹744.99 crores by the State.
  • The Centre’s share would be taken from the Nirbhaya Fund.
• Each fast track court is conceived to take up trials of between 65 and 165 cases annually. The annual expenditure to run one such court was pegged at Rs 75 lakh with one judicial officer and seven support staff.
• Background: The Centre had decided to set up 1,023 fast track courts after the passage of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act in 2018 in the aftermath of the ‘Nirbhaya’ gangrape case in Delhi. 
  • These included courts that deal exclusively with cases related to violations of the POCSO Act in 31 States and UTs.

About Fast Track Court Scheme:

• The Fast Track Special Court (FTSC), a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2019, will now be extended to March 31, 2026.
• Nodal Ministry: the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
• Aim: It has established fast track courts across the country, ensuring the swift disposal of cases related to rape and those coming under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
• Current Status: A total of 30 states and union territories have participated in the scheme, operationalizing 761 fast track courts, including 414 dedicated POCSO courts, which have resolved over 1,95,000 cases together.
• Challenges: Only 754 of the 1,023 courts have been operational.

Source: The Hindu