Parliament Question: Fiscal and administrative impact of prolonged stay orders

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2297 ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026 FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT OF PROLONGED STAY ORDERS 2297 DR. AJEET MADHAVRAO GOPCHADE: Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has assessed the fiscal and administrative impact of prolonged and indefinite stay orders granted by courts and tribunals, which stall Government recoveries, delay infrastructure and development projects, lock up substantial public revenue and adversely affect effective governance and justice delivery; (b) whether Government proposes to frame rules or introduce legislation prescribing a defined validity period for stay orders, with mandatory periodic judicial review and reasoned extension; and (c) whether such a framework is under consideration to prevent misuse of interim relief, safeguard public finances, and ensure timely adjudication while preserving the right to legal remedy? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a) to (c): The Department has not conducted any specific assessment of the fiscal and administrative impact of prolonged and indefinite stay orders granted by courts and tribunals, which stall Government recoveries, delay infrastructure and development projects, lock up substantial public revenue and adversely affect effective governance and justice delivery. However, the Government is fully committed for speedy disposal of cases and reducing pendency and has taken several initiatives to provide an ecosystem for faster disposal of cases by the judiciary which includes, inter-alia, amalgamation of latest technologies for increasing access to Justice and greater transparency under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project and supplementing of the resources of the State Governments/UTs for providing suitable infrastructure facilities for the District and Subordinate Judiciary under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary. The Digital Justice System under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project has expedited and 1simplified judicial processes and has also improved transparency and accessibility in the justice delivery system. Further, the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, has framed the 'Directive for the Efficient and Effective Management of Litigation by Government of India', which is an integrated approach in reinforcing the goal of good governance and ensuring public welfare and timely dispensation of justice. The Directive seeks to introduce effective measures to simplify legal processes, prevent unnecessary litigation, address inconsistencies in notifications and orders, minimize unwarranted appeals, streamline inter-departmental coordination in litigation, ensure greater public accountability in arbitration matters, and establish a strong Knowledge Management System (KMS) to improve overall efficiency. The Department of legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice has also developed the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS), a web-based portal designed to effectively monitor court cases involving the Union of India. These measures are to proactively take action towards disposal of all pending court cases. ***** 2