National Lok Adalat disposes Bank Recovery cases

Dimapur, February 10 (MExN): A total of 112 cases were taken up for settlement, among which 41 cases, mostly at pre-litigative stage were disposed of. The total settlement amount involved in the disposed cases amounts to Rs. 15,84,000 (Rupees fifteen lakh eighty four thousand) only. Eight Lok Adalat sitting benches were constituted in eight Districts held within the premises of the District Court Buildings.   “Today’s cases were mostly dealt on Bank Recovery cases at pre-litigative stage, which means the disputes, were dealt prior to approaching the court. A few Cases already pending before the subordinate courts were also referred for settlement,” stated a press release issued by the Nagaland State legal Services Authority.   A significant number of cases were disposed and the proceedings were effectively carried with upbeat cooperation by the officials of Banks and amenable participation by the litigants and debating parties.   In Kohima, during an interview, a 45 year old lady from Kezobasa who benefited from the Lok Adalat’s free settlement of Dispute held in the Kohima District & Sessions Judge Court building, said that being a cultivator it is difficult to repay the actual amount of the loan.   She expressed gratitude to the Lok Adalat System for the loan settlement of Rs. 49,000 by paying only Rs. 10000 after conciliation and compromise. Official of UCO bank said there is more need to spread awareness among the people in the State about Lok Adalat as it is a very helpful, straight forward amicable mechanism for settling of disputes with minimum cost. Official of Bank of Baroda said that with the help of legal services authorities in organizing this type of Lok Adalat the bank can pursue the Loan recovery matter more effectively and saves time. The Lok Adalat was presided over by judicial officers accompanied by Panel Lawyers as conciliators and the Para legal Volunteers as members. The proceedings were also conducted in local dialects for convenience of the uneducated and also without stressing much on legal technicalities.   Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the Act, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no further appeal against such an award lies before any court of law. Lok Adalat resolves and settles disputes by methods of direct talks between the litigants or Parties amicably. The system of Lok Adalat is affordable and justice delivery is quick and effective. The Lok Adalat mechanism achieve its outcome with certain elements involved such as participation, fairness, expectations, voluntariness, neighborliness, transparency and lack of animosity.   This type of National Lok Adalat is held at regular intervals throughout the country and the State Legal Services Authorities act as the implementing agency which is statutory bodies constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.