1.25 crore cases settled through the National Lok Adalat; Pendency reduced by 9 per cent across all States

Approximately, 1.25 crore cases have been settled through the 2nd National Lok Adalat organised yesterday. These figures are as per the press release by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)..The National Lok Adalat was organised across the country at all levels from the Taluk Courts to the Districts Courts, Revenue Courts, High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. It was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice Anil R Dave and was held under the leadership of Justice TS Thakur who is also the Executive Chairman of NALSA..The 1.25 crore cases settled yesterday is inclusive of pending and pre-litigation cases. According to NALSA, this would mean a “reduction of pendency averaging about 9 per cent across all States..“On the financial side, the impact of the settlement because of the Lok Adalat directly or indirectly, has resulted in the citizens receiving over Rs.3000 crore in the aggregate”, states the Press release..In the Supreme Court, 28 out of the 53 cases put up for settlement were disposed of..Lok Adalats, which are organized by different Legal Services Committee in accordance with the powers under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 seek to settle disputes between parties through friendly reconciliation process. For the parties to the dispute, it offers a much faster and cheaper grievance redressal mechanism without having to go through the procedural hassles of court litigation..Lok Adalats also seek to reduce the workload on the overburdened courts. The decision arrived at through the Lok Adalat would be final and binding and no appeal would lie against such decision..Image taken from here.