National Lok Adalats dispose 67,431 cases in Jammu and Kashmir

JAMMU: The National Lok Adalats held in Jammu and Kashmir disposed off 67,431 cases involving an amount of Rs 31 crore, even as about Rs 13 crore were disbursed as compensation in Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), an official said.

The National Lok Adalatas (NLA) were held yesterday for speedy disposal of cases under the patronage of Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Patron-in-Chief, Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority N Paul Vasanthakumar.

"During these special Lok Adalats held across the state, as many as 67,431 cases were disposed off and an amount of approximately Rs 13 crore was given as compensation in MACT cases," a spokesman of state High Court said.

"Besides, approximately Rs 11 crore were recovered in bank cases and about Rs 7 crore were settled in other cases, which include compound money realised under MGNREGA and electricity recovery," he added.

At High Court complex in Jammu, National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority in presence of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal.

At High Court complex in Srinagar, National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Justice Hasnain Massodi, Chairman High Court Legal Services Committee in presence of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.

The Lok Adalats were also convened at district and tehsil court complexes across the state, he said.

According to R N Wattal, District and Sessions Judge, who is also the Member Secretary of the J&K State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), five separate benches were set up in the National Lok Adalat at High Court Complex Jammu for the disposal of cases including MACT cases of National Insurance Company and United India Insurance Company, MACT cases of New India Assurance Company, Oriental Insurance Company and Bajaj Allianz Insurance Company, service writ petition matters, original writ petition matters and matrimonial cases.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Mir said that the Lok Adalats save people from lengthy court proceedings as there are minimal chances of further litigation or dispute in the cases solved as they are settled with consent of both parties.

The mission of State Legal Services Authority is to create awareness among the masses about their rights and how they can take benefit of various people-friendly legal services, Mir said.

Mir further added that SLSA has started legal clinics which provide justice at doorstep besides the appointment of para-legal volunteers who settle cases before coming to courts and provide their services especially during natural calamities.

He also said that SLSA has conducted 8 National Lok Adalats this year in the state which has settled 31,851 cases and a compensation of Rs 17.7 crore has been given in 6,648 accidental cases.