Jammu Kashmir Yet to Operationalise Any of Its 20 Notified Gram Nyayalayas | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has not operationalised a single Gram Nyayalaya despite notifying 20 such courts under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, according to new data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Ladakh, which has notified two Gram Nyayalayas, also reported zero functional courts. The disclosure underscores a continued gap in the rollout of rural justice institutions in the region meant to deliver inexpensive and speedy justice at the grassroots.

Across the country, 15 States and Union Territories have notified 488 Gram Nyayalayas so far, but only 333 are operational in 11 States as of October 31, 2025. Uttar Pradesh leads with 109 functional courts out of 113 notified. Kerala has all 30 of its notified Gram Nyayalayas operational, while Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have fully operationalised all 89 and 45 notified courts respectively. States such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, despite notifying 42 and 55 Gram Nyayalayas, have not operationalised any.

The Centre said that the Act requires States to establish Gram Nyayalayas in consultation with their respective High Courts, but implementation remains optional rather than mandatory. It cited several recurring constraints behind the slow expansion, including unfilled posts of Nyayadhikaris, shortage of public prosecutors and first-class judicial magistrates, inadequate staff, limited jurisdiction of Gram Nyayalayas, financial limitations at the State level, low awareness among local communities and reluctance from legal authorities.

The Union Government said it regularly urges States to expedite operationalisation through correspondence and Central Level Monitoring Committee meetings. Under the existing scheme, financial assistance includes a one-time grant of up to Rs 18 lakh per Gram Nyayalaya after operationalisation, and recurring support of up to Rs 3.20 lakh per court per year for the first three years.