Knowledge Nugget: What is the importance of Nari Adalats under Mission Shakti for UPSC exam?

2. The Scheme is running in 50 gram panchayats each in J&K and Assam, where it began on a pilot basis in 2023. In 2023-24, the WCD Ministry released a little over `20 lakh each to the two states to implement the scheme. As of December 2024, Nari Adalat conducted 1062 meetings, and 497 cases were registered.

3. Nari Adalat is the component of the Mission Shakti. Mission Shakti was formulated by the WCD ministry as an umbrella scheme for the safety, security, and empowerment during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. It has two main verticals: Sambal (for safety and security) and Samarthya (for empowerment).

Components of Mission Shakti.

4. Mission Shakti, as mentioned on the ministry’s website, aims to provide all women and girls, including those who are differently-abled, socially and economically marginalized, and from vulnerable groups in need of care and protection, with short-term and long-term services and information for their holistic development and empowerment.

5. Nari Adalat is considered a mechanism of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to women at the local level. ADR is a set of techniques that offer better and timely solutions for the resolution of a dispute through mechanisms like arbitration, conciliation, and mediation, etc. The traditional mode of dispute resolution i.e. litigation route is a lengthy process, leading to delays in the justice delivery system. In such a scenario, ADR mechanisms come in handy. ADRs are less adversarial and capable of providing a better substitute for conventional methods.

When a plant is tender, you can mould it. But if a dispute goes to court, there will be difficulty in settling it. At the grassroots level disputes can be settled very easily… It will save cost, time and relationship among parties.

Supreme Court judge Justice MR Shah

BEYOND THE NUGGET: Lok Adalat

1. Lok Adalats are an alternative dispute redressal mechanism, where the aim is to settle or compromise cases amicably. While litigants get the benefit of swift justice and substantially reduced litigation costs, as per the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the decision of the court is binding and it cannot be appealed against.

2. According to NALSA, under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal against such an award lies before any court of law. If the parties are not satisfied with the award of the Lok Adalat though there is no provision for an appeal against such an award, but they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court of appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of their right to litigate.

3. When a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat, the court fee is not payable. If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded to the parties.

4. The Supreme Court of India while celebrating 75 years of the SC last year, commenced a week-long special Lok Adalat. “The Lok Adalat represents a very informal technology-based solution to resolve cases involving our citizens to their satisfaction in a purely voluntary, consensual mode…” Justice Chandrachud had said.

5. The cases with elements of the settlement, including those relating to matrimonial disputes, property disputes, motor-accident claims, land acquisition, compensation, service and labour, pending before the apex court was taken up to facilitate speedy disposal.

6. The top court said Lok Adalats are an integral component of the country’s judicial system, enhancing alternative dispute resolution as a means of expediting and fostering amicable settlements.

(Source: Govt invites proposals from states for setting up Nari Adalats, missionshakti.wcd, PIB, legalaffairs. gov.in, nalsa.gov.inSC commences special Lok Adalat, allows media cameras inside courtrooms, nalsa.gov.in)

UPSC Specials

Gender Mainstreaming | Evolving landscape of feminism in India

Sarojini Naidu: A lyrical voice of women’s empowerment and nationalism

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

🚨 Click Here to read the Union Budget Special issue of the UPSC Essentials magazine for February 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨