Efforts on to fill vacancies in Distt, Subordinate Judiciary
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 30: Lok Adalats have immensely helped in reducing pendency in the courts across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh as over 8.60 lakh cases have been settled during the past three years and current year up to May 31. Moreover, all out efforts are being made to fill the vacancies in the district and subordinate judiciary so as to facilitate the litigants in early disposal of cases.
As per the official document available with EXCELSIOR, every year National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) issues calendar for organizing National Lok Adalats and State Legal Services Authorities have been empowered to organize State Lok Adalats as per local conditions and needs under NALSA (Lok Adalat) Regulations, 2009.
In the year 2020, a total of 13258 cases (both pre-litigative and pending) were disposed of in the National Lok Adalats in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and this number increased during 2021 when 1,66,544 cases were disposed of. The number further increased during 2022 when 3,90,496 cases were settled in the National Lok Adalats. During the current year till May 31, 2023, 1,94,453 cases were disposed of in Jammu and Kashmir.
As far as Union Territory of Ladakh is concerned, 1463 cases were disposed of in National Lok Adalats in 2021 and 1444 in 2022.
Regarding State Lok Adalats, the document said that in 2020-21 a total of 9469 cases were disposed of by 125 benches across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir while as 24 benches disposed of 3271 cases in 2021-22 and in the year 2022-23, a total of 76683 cases were settled by 225 benches. During the year 2023-24 (up to April 2023), 79 cases were disposed of by 25 benches.
These figures clearly reveal that Lok Adalats have immensely helped in reducing pendency in the courts across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.
“With a view to reduce pendency and unclog the courts, Alternate Dispute Resolution methods are being promoted whole heartedly and Lok Adalat is an important mechanism available to people”, the document said, adding “it is a forum where the disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/compromised amicably”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Lok Adalat is also called People’s Court as it provides fair and uncomplicated justice. The family disputes like property requisition, financial disputes and matrimonial issues are widely and effectively solved by the Lok Adalats, which are actually a boon to the litigating public as they can get their disputes settled fast and free of cost amicably.
Moreover, the award by the Lok Adalat is binding on the parties and it has the status of a decree of a Civil Court and it is non-appealable (except in certain situations) which prevents delay in the settlement of disputes finally.
Meanwhile, all out efforts are being made to fill vacancies in District and Subordinate Judiciary in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh as to ensure that litigants get justice speedily.
As per the official data, against sanctioned strength of 314 Judicial Officers in J&K, 87 posts are presently lying vacant. Similarly, against sanctioned strength of 17 Judicial Officers in the Union Territory of Ladakh, there are eight vacancies.
As per the Constitutional framework, in exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the State/UT Government in consultation with the High Court frames the rules and regulations regarding the issues of appointment and recruitment of Judicial Officers.
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