Lok adalats settle over 3000 pending cases in a day

Cuttack: The National Lok Adalat on Saturday settled 3169 cases pending in various subordinate courts in the state, registering Rs 40.37 crore towards settlement amounts in the process.
The Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA), along with the District Legal Services Authority in 30 districts managed to settle 10.20 per cent of the 31,042 cases taken up during the day.
The National Lok Adalat aims to reduce cases pending in courts vis-à-vis providing speedy and inexpensive justice to the people. OSLSA officials said Saturday’s efforts have successfully wiped out 3169 cases pending in subordinate courts in the state.
Besides, 2738 pre-litigation cases were also resolved, officials said. Pre-litigation begins even before the court process starts and attempts to resolve the case before it goes to court.
According to the latest official figures, over 12 lakh cases are pending in various courts across the state. OSLSA officials said total compensation Rs 40.37 crores was awarded on Saturday which related to motor accident claims, bank recovery, water bills, electricity bills and labour disputes among others. Another Rs 10.62 crore was awarded as compensation in pre-litigation cases.
Civil and criminal cases, bank recovery cases, matrimonial disputes, revenue matters, land acquisition matters, consumer cases, labour disputes, motor accident claims and other cases pending in lowers courts and high courts having potential for settlement through arbitration and mutual settlement had been referred to the National Lok Adalat benches across the state.
Six lok adalat benches, formed in the high court with sitting judges, settled 97 of the 833 identified cases. In 87 cases the lok adalat benches in the high court awarded around Rs 4.72 crore while amicably settling insurance claims, an OSLSA official said.
EoM