The amendment to the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, in 2002, provided for the establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats to address issues relating to public utility services. The aim was to streamline the process of resolving disputes and provide more efficient, accessible, and timely justice to the public, particularly in cases involving essential services such as utilities and telecommunications.
Key Features of Permanent Lok Adalats:
- Jurisdiction: Permanent Lok Adalats have jurisdiction to handle cases relating to public utility services. These services include, but are not limited to, telephone and electricity services. The jurisdiction extends to disputes up to a pecuniary limit of ten lakhs, which can be increased by the Central Government as needed.
- Composition: Each Permanent Lok Adalat consists of a Chairman who is or has been a district judge or an additional district judge or has held a higher judicial office. In addition, there are two other members with adequate experience in public utility services.
- No Jurisdiction Over Non-Compoundable Offenses: Permanent Lok Adalats do not have jurisdiction over cases involving offenses that are not compoundable under any law.
- Pre-Litigation Disputes: One of the critical functions of Permanent Lok Adalats is to resolve disputes at the pre-litigation stage, which means disputes can be settled before they enter the regular courts. This can significantly reduce the burden on regular courts and provide timely justice.
- Settlement and Adjudication: While traditional Lok Adalats focus on achieving a compromise or settlement between parties, Permanent Lok Adalats have the authority to decide cases on their merits if parties cannot reach a settlement.
- Final and Binding Awards: The decisions made by Permanent Lok Adalats are final and binding on all parties involved. These decisions are made by a majority of the members of the Permanent Lok Adalat.
Benefits of Permanent Lok Adalats:
- Efficiency and Accessibility: Permanent Lok Adalats help in the quick resolution of disputes related to public utility services, providing justice without delays.
- Reduction of Court Workload: By handling disputes at the pre-litigation stage, Permanent Lok Adalats reduce the caseload of regular courts.
- Cost-Effective Justice: Permanent Lok Adalats provide legal aid services and resolve disputes at a lower cost compared to regular courts.
Conclusion:
Permanent Lok Adalats play a critical role in ensuring efficient and accessible justice, particularly in the area of public utility services. They help reduce the backlog of cases in regular courts and provide a more streamlined process for the resolution of disputes. Their ability to decide cases on their merits when parties cannot reach a settlement ensures that justice is delivered in a timely and effective manner.
