Shift In National Lok Adalats Practice

National Lok Adalats will be held once in two months instead of once in a month held earlier

Y.S. Rana

Shift from the earlier practice of holding National Lok Adalats across the country once in a month, now these will be held once in two months from this year. Stating this to Himachal This Week, member of HP State Legal Services Authority (HPSLA) said that first National Lok Adalats in the country would now be held on February 11 next. He further revealed that due to winter vacations, National Lok Adalat would not be held on the said date. They have sought permission from the National Legal Services Authority to hold it in the state on March 11. The permission has been granted and State Legal Services Authority would hold it on March 11. The communication states that as approved by Justice Dipak Misra, Judge, Supreme Court of India and executive chairman, National Legal Services Authority, National Lok Adalats will be held once in two months from this year on all matters. The letter has also directed that wide publicity of the National Lok Adalats (NLAs) including advertisement in newspapers shall be given by the state legal services authorities in their respective jurisdiction and preparatory work for the same should start immediately. It is also stated in the letter to inform the National Legal Services Authority about the number of cases identified (category wise) for placing before the NLAs on or before February 5, 2017. But there is no bar to take up more cases by the SLSAs in the Adalats on the scheduled date.          He further stated that a letter from Member Secretary, National Legal Services Authority has been received in his office informing the shift in holding of National Lok Adalat. Ensuing national lok adalats would include all matter, he added. Copies of letter have been sent to all State legal authorities across the country. The authority in the state has started preparatory work to hold the NLA. He further revealed that cases at pre-litigation and pending would be taken up in the coming NLA for amicable settlement. The authority further revealed that taking note of systematic and continuous abuse of the old people, the NLSA has announced two schemes in its recent held meeting–one for senior citizens and other for victims of acid attack. The authority will start preparatory work after winter vacations and all arrangements would be made for National Lok Adalat, he assured.

Cases Taken Up In National Lok Adalats

The following types of cases will be taken up in National Lok Adalats – criminal compoundable offence; NI Act cases under Section 138; Bank recovery cases; MACT cases; matrimonial disputes; labour disputes cases; land acquisition cases; electricity and water bills; services matters relating to pay and allowances and retiral benefits; revenue cases; other civil cases etc.

1369 Lok Adalats Held In Himachal In 2016

The official also stated that Lok Adalats under Section 19 of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 have been constituted in all the 109 courts in Himachal Pradesh. During 2016, the authority had held 1369 Lok Adalats across the State and a total of 89,759 cases have been settled. Over Rs 7.58 crore have been awarded as compensation. The authority has also provided legal services to 520 in custody in 2016.

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