New Delhi: The National Legal Services Authority has cancelled the National Lok Adalat, scheduled for September 12 in view of the unprecedented scenario caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the National Lok Adalat which was scheduled to be held on July 11, was cancelled too.
The decision was taken by Justice N.V. Ramana, who is the Executive Chairman of NALSA.
During the pandemic NALSA has organized online Lok Adalats successfully in various States. NALSA is studying the various models of online Lok Adalats, and may go for incremental expansion of the same, after course corrections if needed, to other parts of the country, states the notification.
In 2019, four National Lok Adalats were held in which 52.93 lakh cases were disposed of, out of which 26,16,790 cases were pending in the courts and 26,76,483 were pre-litigation cases. In 2020, one National Lok Adalat was held on February 8 in which 11.25 Lakh cases were disposed of, out of which 4.81 lakh cases were matters pending in the courts.
National Lok Adalats are held on a large scale, and in such Lok Adalats, people throng in large numbers. This fact, along with other relevant factors, was kept in view while taking the decision. The State Legal Services Authorities instead have been advised to hold Lok Adalats at the micro level, if assessed by them to be required, on various subjects such as Negotiable Instruments Acts cases, criminal compoundable cases, Motor Accident Claims Cases, Civil Matters etc.
In Lok Adalats, matters pending in the Courts as well as matters at pre-litigation stage are taken for amicable settlement.
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The National Lok Adalat scheduled for 12th December, 2020 will be held as per the approved schedule.
– India Legal Bureau
