Construction of Alternative Dispute Resolution centres

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, OCT 21

Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri, Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court-cum-Patron-in-Chief, Haryana State Legal Services Authority said that buildings of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres will be constructed in all districts of Haryana and District ADR Centre would play an important role in legal aid and legal service sector.

          Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri said this after inaugurating a seminar on Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services at Faridabad today.

          He said that ADR Centre would have Permanent Lok Adalat, Lok Adalat Hall, Front Office, Office of District Legal Services Authority, Multipurpose hall or Conference hall, Mediation hall, Arbitration hall and Library. The Supreme Court of India seeks to ensure that mediation and other method or ADR achieve success. He said that 95 to 97 per cent cases were being settled through mediation in America.

          He said that Haryana had Permanent Lok Adalats as Public Utility Services were functioning in six districts namely Ambala, Rohtak, Hissar, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Panchkula and five more such Lok Adalats were being set up shortly in five more districts namely Bhiwani, Karnal, Rewari, Sonipat and Sirsa. He said that in such Lok Adalats cases were settled without any expenditure and at the earliest up to the value of Rs 25 lakh. He said that these Lok Adalats have settled 18,959 cases up to September 30, 2012.

          He said that in order to improve Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) has decided to set up District ADR Centres in all judicial districts of Haryana, out of the funds provided by the 13^thFinance Commission.

          Mr. Sikri also informed about the various activities being carried out by HALSA under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). He said that 600 Legal Aid Clinics have already been established in various villages, Primary Health Centres, Protection Officer's office, Jails, Courts and Law Colleges in the State. In order to reach senior citizens, missing children, single women, disabled persons, unorganised labourers, migrant labourers, trafficked children and child labour, at least 10 Legal Aid Clinics in the urban areas of each district were being established in Old Age Homes, Hospitals, Nari Niketans, Office of Resident Welfare Association, Slum Areas, Industrial area and Labour Colonies.

          With a view to provide legal literacy to the young generation, HALSA in collaboration with Haryana Education Department has opened Legal Literacy Clubs in 1544 schools and 171 colleges. Steps were being taken to open such Legal Literacy Clubs in all Private Schools, Colleges, Technical, Educational and Medical Institutions. “Lessons in Law” will be introduced in all Schools and Colleges shortly.

          Mr. Sikri said that 812 advocates were on the panel of District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees (SDELSCs) and there were 2833 Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) in the State of Haryana and directions have been issued to DLSAs and SDLSCs to involve more women Para-Legal Volunteers for spreading legal awareness amongst women and to help single women like widow, deserted and separated.

          Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta, Mr. Deepak Gupta, Member Secretary, Haryana State Legal Services Authority and Mr. N.K. Garg, President, District Bar Association, Faridabad also spoke on the occasion.

          Mr. Darshan Singh, District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Faridabad welcomed the dignitaries. Mr, R.S. Baswana, Chairman, Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services, Faridabad extended the vote of thanks to all the dignitaries present on this occasion.

          Mr. Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, Commissioner of Faridabad Range, Mr.Balraj Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Judicial and Administration officers, Bar Members, Panel Advocates, Para Legal Volunteers, Mr. Tarun Gupta and Mrs. Upasana Bagla, Members PLA (PUS), Faridabad were also present on this occasion.

          On this occasion, revised edition of a booklet entitled as Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services) was also released by Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri.