Cabinet approves continuation of scheme for Fast Track Special Courts for further 2 years

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts for further two years.
Briefing mediapersons about the Cabinet decision, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said,’ the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of 1023 Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) including 389 exclusive POCSO Courts as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2023 with an outlay of Rs 1572.86 crore (Rs.971.70 crore as Central Share and Rs 601.16 crore as State share). Central Share is to be funded from Nirbhaya Fund. The Scheme was launched on 02.10.2019.’
The Government has always given paramount importance to the safety and security of women and children. Towards empowering the girl child, the Government has already launched several programmes like ‘BetiBachaoBetiPadhao’ etc.
Incidents of rape of minor girls below the age of twelve years and women below the age of sixteen years have shaken the conscience of the entire nation. The occurrence of such incidents and prolonged trials of
convicts had necessitated the creating of a dedicated court machinery which could expedite trial and provide immediate relief to the victims of sexual offences.
To bring more stringent provisions and expeditious trial and disposal of such cases, the Central Government
enacted “The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018” and made provision of stringent punishment including death penalty for perpetrators of rape. This led to the establishment of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
Fast Track Special Courts are dedicated courts expected to ensure swift dispensation of justice. They have a better clearance rate as compared to the regular courts and hold speedy trials. Besides providing quick
justice to the hapless victims, it strengthens the deterrence framework for sexual offenders.
Currently covering 28 States, it is proposed to be expanded to cover all 31 states which are eligible to join the Scheme. It is supporting the efforts of State/UT Governments for providing time bound justice to hapless
victims of sexual offences in the country including the remote and far – flung areas.