Proceedings from a quarterly National Lok Adalat conducted by the District Legal Services Authorities under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authorities in Mon on August 13, 2022. (Representative Image: Morung File Photo/NSLSA Handout)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 9
A total of 888 cases were disposed of in 2022 during the periodic Lok Adalats conducted by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), an official report informed.
During the same period, the total settlement amount for the various cases stood at Rs 14,95,68,919, stated the Annual Administrative Report (AAR) 2022-23 of the Law and Justice Department, Nagaland.
The Lok Adalats in Nagaland took up a total of 3238 cases, out of which 3099 were in pre-litigation stage and 139 were pending cases.
Among the pre-litigation stage cases, 760 were disposed of with a settlement amount of Rs 7, 83, 29,591.
Out of the 139 pending cases, 128 were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs 7,12,39,328. In total, the Lok Adalats disposed of 888 cases with a total settlement of over Rs 15.95 crore in 2022.
Lok Adalat, one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/ compromised amicably.
Legal Services Authorities across India, under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), conduct the ‘People’s Court.’
In Nagaland, the NSLSA conducted the Lok Adalats and the 4th quarterly National Lok Adalat (NLA) for 2022 on November 12 and a total of 12 benches were set up at District Court premises and High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC).
NSLSA’s other activities
Meanwhile, report also revealed that a total of 225 cases were disposed of legally aided by the NSLSA in 2022, including 223 criminal cases at district courts and 1 in the High Court, as well as one civil case in the district court.
As of December 31, 2022, a total of 279 cases were pending in which the NSLSA was giving legal aid, with 274 being criminal and 5 civil cases.
Thirteen criminal cases were pending in the high court, while 261 were pending for disposal in various district courts.
The Law and Justice Department’s AAR further informed that from January-December 2022, a total of 49 applications for victim compensation were received, out of which 23 were disposed off.
Accordingly, a total amount of Rs 64 lakh was awarded and disbursed as victim compensation. Applications pending for sanction stood at 26 at the end of 2022.
During the same period, the NSLSA provided a total of 4800 legal assistance at its front offices comprising of 3231 legal advice, 1029 legal drafting, and 540 legal aid.
Meanwhile, a total of 11 Jail Legal Services Clinics were conducted in 2022-23, resulting in legal assistance of 184 prisoners. A total of 238 under-trail prisoners were represented for various courts from January-December 2022.
In addition, a total of 132 Legal Services Clinics were conducted as on December 31, 2022, where 6048 persons were provided legal assistance.
A total of 17 legal services/empowerment camps were also conducted from January-December 2022 benefiting 5280 persons, the report added.
NSLSA’s mandate
The NSLSA, constituted in March 1999 under Section 6 of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987, provides free legal services to weaker sections of society and organises Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes free of cost, among others.
The District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) has been was first constituted on March 2001 under to implement Legal Services Programmes in the districts.
As per the report, the NSLSA continued to endeavour towards achieving the mandated objectives and set new initiatives for advancing the legal services cornerstones. The NSLSA has conducted various outreach programs to promote and enforce the implementation of NALSA policies and schemes under the banner of "Access to Justice for All.
‘ They have specifically carried out legal assistance campaigns at the district and village levels focusing on four prioritized sectors, namely Education (RTE), Health (H&FW), Nutrition (NFSA-2013), and Social Welfare Schemes for the benefit of downtrodden people, it said.
The NSLSA has also established two Child Friendly Zone within the District Court premise for two District namely Wokha & Phek District so far, through the initiatives under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme.
The function of the NSLSA is to enforce and implement policies and principles framed by the Central Authority (National Legal Services Authority) under the provisions of the Legal Services Authority Act (1987) Act.
The NSLSA also act as converging Nodal Authority with catalytic roles among the Government Departments. Non-Governmental voluntary social Services institution, universities, schools & colleges, village functionaries and other bodies engaged in the work of promoting the cause of uplifting the marginalized people with the goal to ensure "Access to Justice for all" by protecting and safeguarding their rights.
