Question : EMPOWERMENT OF LOK ADALATS

(a) whether the Government propose to accord more powers to Lok Adalats so that they could deal with a wide spectrum of issues;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of cases settled by the Lok Adalats during 1999;

(d) whether the Government propose to accord legal status to the Lok Adalat;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;

(f) the number of Lok Adalats held from 1.10.1990 till date in Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Maharashtra alongwith the details thereof; and
(g) the number of cases brought before these Adalats and disposed of during the said period ?

MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE & COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM JETHMALANI)


(a) & (b) No. Sir, There is no proposal at present to accord more powers to Lok Adalats. The Lok Adalats have already been conferred statutory status by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

(c) As per information provided by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) 10,30,828 cases have been settled throughout the country.

(d) & (e) Lok Adalats, which heretofore were voluntary efforts for Resolution of Disputes through persuasive and conciliatory methods, have been placed on a statutory footing with the enforcement of Legal Services Authorities Act in the Country with effect from 9th November, 1995.

(f) & (g) The requisite information is being obtained from the concerned State Legal Services Authorities and will be laid on the table.