Chandigarh, December 6
In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Punjab State Legal Services Authority has decided to conduct National Lok Adalat in E-Lok Adalat format in entire state first time on December 12, 2020 under the guidance of Executive Chairman and Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court Dr. Justice. S. Muralidhar.
Disclosing this here today, District Session Judge and Member Secretary of Punjab State Legal Services Authority Justice Arun Gupta said that the authority has decided to conduct E-Lok Adalat to maintain social distancing protocol due to contain the spreading of Corona Virus. ‘’Adequate arrangements are being made to hold E-Lok Adalat as well as Physical Lok Adalat depending upon the feasibility of each district in light of the guidelines issued by the Centre as well as State Government from time to time to ensure preventive measures against Covid-19 outbreak, he added. He said that the general public may contact the Front Offices or Secretary, District Legal Services Authority of their respective District for taking up their grievances in the National Lok Adalat. For any Legal Assistance, the public may contact the Punjab State Legal Services Authority at Toll free Helpline No. 1968.
Divulging further Justice Grover said that members of the Bench assist the parties to settle their disputes amicably. The court fee is refunded, if the dispute is settled. The order passed in the Lok Adalat is final and non appealable. In this National Lok Adalat, approx 349 benches are to be constituted and about 26,977 cases are expected to be settled amicably. Informing further he said that the types of cases to be taken up in this Lok Adalat incuded Pre-litigation cases such as NI Act cases under Section 138, Bank Recovery cases, Labour disputes cases, Electricity and Water Bills (excluding non-compoundable), Others (Criminal Compoundable, Matrimonial and other Civil disputes).
Member Secretary said that one can contact for cases pending in the Courts like Criminal Compoundable Offences, NI Act cases under Section 138, Bank Recovery cases, MACT cases, Labour disputes cases, Electricity and Water Bills (excluding non-compoundable), Matrimonial disputes, Land Acquisition cases, Service matters relating to pay and allowances and retirement benefits, Revenue cases (pending in District Courts and High Courts only) and other civil cases (rent, easmentary rights, injunction suits, specific performance suits.
