The government said on Wednesday that its endeavour is to set up 71 additional special courts exclusively for trial of CBI cases in various states.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions, Prithviraj Chavan said, "Appointment of competent and experienced Special Public Prosecutors and filling up of vacancies, including that of Investigating Officers, are some of the steps being taken by the government to expedite disposal of CBI cases in courts."

He said, "The number of CBI cases pending trial is increasing every year. It is, therefore, the endeavour of the government to set up 71 additional special courts exclusively for trial of CBI cases in various States."

The Minister said the CBI, in a recent nation-wide drive against corruption in June 2009, had registered 69 cases of against public functionaries including one case of alleged corruption in the Railway Recruitment Board, Allahabad.

He said several measures have already been taken to strengthen the CBI, which includes modernization and up-gradation of the agency's infrastructure and capacity building of its officers and staff.