Lok Adalats dispose off 41 bank recovery cases

Eight Lok Adalats were held in as many districts of Nagaland at the district court buildings on Saturday where 112 cases were taken up and 41 were disposed of. The total settlement amount was Rs 15,84,000.
According to a press release, the cases mostly related to bank recovery cases at pre-litigative stage, which meant that the disputes were dealt prior to approaching the court. A few cases pending before the subordinate courts were also referred for settlement, it added.
A significant number of cases were disposed and the proceedings were effectively carried with upbeat cooperation by bank officials and amenable participation by litigants and debating parties, the release claimed.
A 45-year-old lady from Kezobasa, who benefited from Lok Adalat’s free settlement of dispute held at the Kohima District & Sessions Judge Court building, said being a cultivator it was difficult to repay the loan amount. She expressed gratitude to the Lok Adalat for settling her loan amount of Rs 49000 at Rs 10000 only.
An official of UCO Bank remarked there was need to spread awareness among the people in the State about Lok Adalats as these were an effective means to settle disputes with minimal cost. Echoing the UCO Bank official, an employee of Bank of Baroda said with the help of legal services authorities in organising Lok Adalat the bank could pursue loan recoveries more effectively and that it saved time.
The Lok Adalats were presided over by judicial officers and accompanied by panel lawyers as conciliators and para legal volunteers as members. The proceedings were conducted in local dialects for convenience of the uneducated and also without stressing much on legal technicalities, the release added.
Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the Act, the award (decision) made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties, and no further appeal against such an award lies before any court of law.  They resolve and settle disputes by methods of direct talks between litigants or parties amicably.
The system of Lok Adalat is affordable and justice delivery is quick and effective.
Lok Adalats are held at regular intervals throughout the country and the State Legal Services Authorities, which are statutory bodies constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, act as the implementing agency.