(a) whether the Government encourages in giving support to State/District Mediation Centres for easy settlement of cases especially for poor people;
(b) if so, the details thereof and objective of these centres;
(c) the number of cases settled in the Mediation Centre, State-wise during the last three years and the current year;
(d) whether the Government proposes to extend the facilities of the existing Mediation Centres; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE & COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) &(b): Yes, Madam. The National Legal Services Authority has allotted funds to the State Legal Services Authorities for establishing Mediation Centres in the States. The objectives of these centres Is to provide a cheaper and faster process for settlement of disputes.
(c): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
(d)&(e): The 13th Finance Commission has also allocated funds for establishing District Alternative Disputes Resolution Centres in 600 Districts for organizing Lok Adalats, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement, as enumerated in Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The objective of organizing mediation in the District Alternative Disputes Resolution Centres is to refer the cases pending in the courts for mediation to reduce the pendency of cases in the courts.