SHIMLA: A record number of 43780 cases were taken up in the National Lok Adalat held on May 14 before different benches for settlement across the state. Out of these, as many as 19205 cases were settled or disposed off and the judges awarded over ₹53.08 Crore as compensation to the claimants.
It was for the first time that Ms. Justice Sabina, judge High Court of Himachal Pradesh, who is also Executive Director, HP State Legal Service Authorities(HPLSA), inaugurated a National Lok Adalat at Keylong in the landlocked tribal Lahaul-Spiti district. As many as 240 cases were taken up for settlement there giving justice to the tribals at their door-step on Saturday.
National Lok Adalat Gives Relief and Creates Goodwill among Litigants
Considering the response of the litigant public, National Lok Adalat today turned out to be an Utsav creating good-will among litigants as they come out in large number for settlement and got much-needed relief in pending cases.
National Lok Adalat was organized under patronage of Patron-in-Chief Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice, High Court of Himachal Pradesh and under innovative guidance of Ms. Justice Sabina, in all the Courts in the state on May 14.
The massive response to the National Lok Adalat was possible as HPSAL left no stone unturned to reach out to the litigants and stakeholders through new and various modes of social and web media including traditional means of communication.
Massive Awareness Campaign
Executive Chairperson, HPSLSA hold video- conferencing with judicial officers, laid emphasis on effective identification and disposal of cases before National Lok Adalat.
Executive Chairperson impressed upon the judges to identify old cases, motor accident claim cases, matrimonial cases, insurance matters, labour court matters, criminal compoundable matters, said Prem Pal Ranta, member-secretary, HPSLA, legal authority which facilitates organization of National Lok Adalat in the state.
As per direction of Executive Chairperson, HPSLA launched a special drive in the remote, tribal areas of districts of Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. 
People in these areas got an opportunity for amicable settlement of disputes both at pre-litigation and post-litigation stage in the National Lok Adalat, Ranta said.
HPSLA also roped in local bodies, police, financial institutions, banks, NGOs, stakeholders, representatives of PRIs, PLVs, Asha/Anganwari workers, Public Transport Services to create awareness about National Lok Adalat that paid its dividends.
Not only this, publicity material including pamphlets were distributed amongst general public containing contact numbers of all eleven District Legal Service Authorities(DLSA). This made easy for locals to contact the DLSA that led to a good response to the National Lok Adalat.
Next National Lok Adalat on August 13, 2022
Next National Lok Adalat will be held on 13th August, 2022. As per directions of Executive Chairperson in coming times Special Lok Adalats will be held for Motor Vehicle Challans and Negotiable Instruments Act Cases in areas where pendency is more.
