Frustrated by no powers given to officers to settle cases, the National Lok Adalat has urged the authorities to grant such powers to their officers in order to reduce litigation.
Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute redressal mechanism forum where disputes/cases pending in courts can be settled amicably.
Justice Anuja Prabhudessai of the Bombay High Court who presided over the National Lok Adalat on May 7 notes that undue delay in settlement of compensation defeats the core purpose of this legislation.
A total of 112 appeals pertaining to the Railway Claims Tribunal were placed before the National Lok Adalat for settlement on that day.
However, during the hearing, advocate T J Pandian, appearing for the Railways, informed the judge that railway officers present in court that day did not have the authority to enter into a settlement or give consent to settle the matter.
To this, justice Prabhudessai remarked that even in March 2022, nearly 150 matters could not be settled or disposed of by the Lok Adalat for the same reason.
Advocates for the victims informed the judge that more than 1,000 such appeals were pending which could be settled before the Lok Adalat if railway authorities gave their consent.
Justice Prabudesaai noted in the order: “The Lok Adalat provides expeditious, economic, and viable justice to the common man and the neediest section of society, particularly those who have lost their limb or loved one or a bread-earner in an untoward incident.”
She further added: “It is, therefore, necessary for the authorities concerned to take expeditious decisions regarding authorization of their officers to enter into a settlement or compromise.”
The judges said that this would help the victims as delay would defeat the very core purpose of the beneficial legislation.
"This would not only help in reducing the pendency of matters before courts but will also be in the interest of victims, keeping in mind the fundamental principle that undue delay in settlement of compensation in such matters defeats the very core purpose of the beneficial legislation," the order read.
The judge has asked the railway authorities to view the matter seriously and take expeditious decisions in this regard.
