Haryana State Legal Services Authority Organizes National Lok Adalat

On the day of National Lok Adalat, Hon'ble Mr. Justice U.U. Lalit, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajan Gupta, Executive Chairman, HALSA monitored the Lok Adalats through video conferencing.

Mr. Justice U.U. Lalit has conveyed his best wishes for successful National Lok Adalat and congratulate all the courts for making their best efforts in identifying maximum number of cases for today's National Lok Adalat. His Lordship emphasized that Lok Adalat is an effective alternative dispute resolution method for ensuring quick and final consensual disposal of cases binding on the parties without incurring any extra cost or fees.

 Mr. Justice Rajan Gupta has called upon to settle maximum number of cases as Lok Adalat is a system of alternative dispute resolution which finds its origin in India and got established as a system with the changing times. Lok Adalats not only settle pending dispute or disputes going to arise between parties but it also ensures social harmony as parties to dispute settle their cases amicably to their full satisfaction. It also decongests courts as matters are settled amicably with the consent of parties eliminating further litigation in form of appeals and revisions. The limited resources available with the courts are relieved and are made available to dispense justice expeditiously and in an effective manner. Apart from settlement of dispute, parties are benefitted by return of court fee paid by them at the time of institution of cases.

Considering the current prevailing situation, Haryana State Legal Services Authority directed to conduct Lok Adalats physically or virtually across the State as per local requirements. Necessary directions were also issued to follow health protocols strictly such as wearing of masks, sanitization of hands, social distancing etc. for prevention against COVID-19.

Last year, due to COVID pandemic, Haryana State Legal Services Authority organized its 1^st E-Lok Adalat on 18^th September, 2020 through video conferencing across the State of Haryana with an aim to resolve the cases/disputes of parties through one of the effective mechanism of alternate disputes. After a successful conduct of E-Lok Adalat, the HALSA moved its step towards Daily E-Lok Adalat in Haryana which aim to help the litigants for amicable settlement of disputes.

Daily Lok Adalats were first started in one of the districts on experimental basis. After encouraging results, daily Lok Adalats were started in the remaining districts. At present, daily Lok Adalats are being held in all the 22 districts of Haryana. In the year 2020-2021, 53,407 Daily Lok Adalats were held and 65,550 cases were decided. Total amount of Rs.72,21,29,971/- were settled.

Today, in National Lok Adalat, 16995 cases were taken up and 6497 cases were disposed of at pre-litigative stage. Total amount of Rs.136311205 were settled.

That apart, 60537 pending cases were taken up and out of 28365 cases were decided. Total amount of Rs. 734991469 were settled.

Total No. of 34862 cases both at pre litigative and pending stage were settled thereby settling total amount of Rs. 871302674 between the parties.

Haryana State Legal Services Authority has left no segments of the society to unreached and making continuous efforts for creating mass awareness through different means and modes. Taking one step ahead towards the goal of "ACCESS TO JUSTICE", this Authority launched a year-long campaign "QUALITY OF LEGAL SERVICES IS KEY TO ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL" on 01.08.2021 at Gurugram. It was inaugurated by Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority wherein following projects were launched:

• Inauguration of dedicated Video Conferencing and Launch of structured & regular video consultation between legal aid counsel & person availing legal aid
• Inauguration of Kids Zones in 18 DLSAs for making ADR Centres people friendly
• Release of short film on Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection) Act, 2015
• Release of animated short clip on rights of a person at Pre-arrest and arrest stage
• Launch of awareness posters enumerating rights of a person at pre-arrest, arrest and remand stage to be affixed in Police Stations, Courts and jails

A year-long campaign was conceptualized to strengthen the legal services at different stages and make justice accessible for all despite of any economical or social constraint. Its primary objective is to enhance the quality of legal services and maximize the efforts of Legal Services Institutions in reaching people living in any corner of the State. This campaign will extend benefit to the different sections of the society and people would be made aware of their legal and fundamental rights.

Under "Environment Protection" campaign, District Legal Services Authorities under the aegis of Haryana State Legal Services Authority have undertaken a "SPECIAL PLANT DISTRIBUTION DRIVE" on Independence Day i.e. 15^th August, 2021 across the State of Haryana. It aims to create awareness amongst general masses about environment conservation and its benefits. Plants were distributed amongst the students in schools/colleges of Haryana in association with Forest Department, Haryana and Horticulture Department, Haryana.

That apart, Haryana State Legal Services Authority has been taking various other steps for precaution and prevention against COVID-19 across the State of Haryana. This Authority also launched a project namely "Arrest the disease-wear a mask, don't go close, cover your nose" on 26.03.2021 in association with Health Department, Haryana with an aim to create awareness amongst general masses about COVID health protocols as well as to educate them about mask etiquettes. Under the said project, Legal Services Authorities conducted 405 vaccination camps across the State and 67,234 persons were vaccinated. Under this project, District Legal Services Authorities are undertaking mask making campaigns in association with NGOs/Public Agencies/Jails and distributing the same to the needy persons for free of cost. 2,54,395 masks were prepared/distributed under the campaign.

This Authority also launched short animated clips on various topics such as legal aid, gender equality, COVID vaccination and mask etiquettes with an aim to sensitize maximum people on respective topics and various aspects associated with them. HALSA has also prepared publicity materials on COVID-19 which have been shared with all the District Legal Services Authorities to circulate among public at large through different electronic means so we could reach each and every person even living in far-flung areas.

That apart, HALSA is also sharing awareness material under project "Corona Home Warriors" with the help of children and social media. It aims to create maximum mass awareness on prevention against COVID-19 and effective implementation of health protocols such as wearing of mask rightly, social distancing, washing of hands frequently, hands sanitization etc.

Project HOPE has also been launched by this Authority with an aim to help those unfortunate children who have lost their single or both parents in COVID pandemic while fighting with the disease. It aims to ensure the rights and benefits of children who are left alone or with a single surviving parent. Under the said project, 3,090 children have been identified who have lost their single parent and 84 children who have lost both the parents.