**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2384 in Lok Sabha, scheduled for February 13, 2026, regarding the shortage of official residential accommodation for judicial officers in Bihar. It clarifies the responsibilities of the State and Central Governments in addressing this issue, highlighting the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). It notes that an amount of Rs.651.22 crore (upto 31.01.2026) has been released to the State of Bihar under CSS.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Responsibility for Infrastructure Development:**
* The primary responsibility for developing infrastructure facilities for District and Subordinate Courts lies with the State Governments/UTs.
* **Central Government's Role:**
* The Central Government augments the resources of State Governments/UTs through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
* The CSS has been in place since 1993-94, providing financial assistance in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the State of Bihar.
* **Components Covered Under CSS:**
* The scheme covers five components: Court Halls, Residential Units for Judicial Officers, Lawyer's Halls, Toilet Complexes, and Digital Computer Rooms.
* **Monitoring and Security:**
* The High Court of Judicature at Patna monitors the judicial infrastructure, including Residential Units for Judicial Officers.
* The State Government of Bihar coordinates with the High Court of Judicature at Patna to provide security arrangements in the Residential Complexes.
* **Financial Assistance:**
* Up to January 31, 2026, Rs.651.22 crore has been released to the State of Bihar under CSS, with Rs.595.62 crore released since 2014-15.
* A sum of Rs.62.98 crore has been released for the financial year 2025-26 (as on 31.01.2026).
* **Residential Unit Status (as of January 31, 2026):**
* Bihar has 1,290 Residential Units against a working strength of 1,665.
* 346 Residential Units are under construction.
**Impact Analysis**
* **State Government of Bihar**
**Impact**
Has the primary responsibility for developing and maintaining infrastructure for judicial officers, including residential units. Receives financial assistance from the Central Government.
**Action Required**
To utilize the funds provided by the Central Government efficiently to address the shortage of residential units, coordinate with the High Court for security, and ensure the completion of the 346 units under construction.
* **Judicial Officers in Bihar**
**Impact**
Affected by the availability and condition of official residential accommodation, which impacts their working conditions and personal well-being.
**Action Required**
Continue to bring any concerns or needs to the attention of the relevant authorities, including the High Court and the State Government.
* **High Court of Judicature at Patna**
**Impact**
Plays a role in monitoring the judicial infrastructure, including residential units, and coordinating security arrangements.
**Action Required**
Continue to monitor infrastructure development and work with the State Government to address any issues.
* **Central Government**
**Impact**
Shares the responsibility for the Infrastructure Facilities for District and Subordinate Courts with the State Governments/UTs
**Action Required**
Continue to support the State Government financially through the CSS.
Key Entities Referenced
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for District and Subordinate Courts: A scheme implemented by the Central Government to augment the resources of State Governments/UTs for the development of infrastructure facilities for district and subordinate courts.
Ministry of Law and Justice: The central ministry responsible for addressing the shortage of official residential accommodation for judicial officers.
Bihar: The state where the shortage of official residential accommodation for judicial officers is being addressed.
High Court of Judicature at Patna: Monitors the Judicial Infrastructure facility including Residential Units for Judicial Officers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2384
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13th FEBRUARY, 2026
SHORTAGE OF OFFICIAL RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR JUDICIAL
OFFICERS IN BIHAR
2384. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the persistent shortage of official residential
accommodation for judicial officers in the district courts/lower courts in Bihar, which adversely
impacts their working conditions and personal well-being, if so, the details thereof, district-wise;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of the specific accommodation
requirements of women judicial officers, including safety, privacy and proximity to court
complexes, if so, the findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to allocate additional funds or initiate any special
scheme to ensure adequate and gender-sensitive residential accommodation for all judicial
officers, especially women, in the district/lower courts in Bihar, if so, the timeline and specific
measures proposed in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to improve overall judicial
infrastructure in Bihar with emphasis on ensuring safe, adequate and gender-responsive housing
for women judicial officers?
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 (d): The primary responsibility for development of Infrastructure Facilities for District
and Subordinate Courts rests with the State Governments/UTs. However, to augment the
resources of the State Governments/UTs, the Central Government has been implementing a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for District
1and Subordinate courts since 1993-94, by providing financial assistance to them in the prescribed
fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and States. In the case of State of Bihar, it is in the ratio
of 60:40. There are five components covered under the scheme viz. Court Halls, Residential
Units for Judicial Officers, Lawyer’s Halls, Toilet Complexes and Digital Computer Rooms.
As informed by the Registrar (Administration), High Court of Judicature at Patna, the
Judicial Infrastructure facility including Residential Units for Judicial Officers is monitored by
the High Court of Judicature at Patna. Further, the State Government of Bihar take necessary
measures to provide security arrangements in the Residential Complexes in coordination with
the High Court of Judicature at Patna.
An amount of Rs.651.22 crore (upto 31.01.2026) has been released to the State of Bihar
under CSS for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for District and Subordinate since
inception of the scheme, out of which Rs.595.62 crore has been released since 2014-15. For
financial year 2025-26, a sum of Rs.62.98 crore has been released to the State Government of
Bihar (as on 31.01.2026). As per Nyaya Vikas portal, the State of Bihar has 1,290 Residential
Units against working strength of 1,665 as on 31.01.2026. Further, 346 Residential Units are
under construction as on 31.01.2026.
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