SHIMLA: In a bid to address pre-litigation and pending matters, a National Lok Adalat  was held on May 11, 2024, across all courts in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

As many as 71970 cases were taken up in the National Lok Adalat before different benches for settlement, out of which 29310 cases were settled/ disposed off, and a sum of ₹ 54 Crore was recovered/awarded settled.

The Adalat aimed to provide a platform for amicable settlement of disputes, said member secretary, HPSLSA  Virender Sharma. 

A notable feature of this year's National Lok Adalat is the incorporation of digital payment facilities through ePay (eCourts Digital Payment) for compounding fees, particularly in the courts of Traffic Magistrates, enhancing accessibility and convenience for litigants.

National Lok Adalat was spearheaded by the  Shri Justice Mamidanna Satya Ratna Sri Ramachandra Rao, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Patron-in-Chief of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, and under the guidance of  Shri Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Executive Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority.

Efforts have been made to raise awareness among the litigant public through messaging, distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and engagement with local stakeholders such as NGOs, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Para Legal Volunteers.

Looking ahead, the Supreme Court is set to host a Special Lok Adalat from July 29, 2024, to August 3, 2024, aimed at resolving disputes pending before it.

The success of this initiative hinges on widespread awareness and participation from the general public.

Individuals seeking more information about the Special Lok Adalat are encouraged to reach out to their nearest District Legal Services Authority.