UPSC CSE Prelims 2005

Correct Option

Lok Adalats are an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. They possess statutory status, and their awards are considered decrees of a civil court, binding on the parties. The primary objective is to facilitate amicable settlement of disputes, thereby reducing the burden on conventional courts.

Lok Adalats are organized by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and State/District Legal Services Authorities. They are competent to handle:

• Cases pending before any court.
• Cases at the pre-litigation stage.

The types of cases commonly referred to Lok Adalats include:

• Motor accident claims.
• Pension cases.
• Matrimonial disputes.
• Property disputes.
• Bank recovery cases.
• Labour disputes.
• Electricity and water bill disputes.
• Consumer disputes, which encompass disputes with mobile cellular companies.

Based on this, all three categories mentioned in the question fall within the purview of Lok Adalats:

1. Disputes with mobile cellular companies: These are frequently resolved as consumer disputes.
2. Motor accident cases: These are regularly settled, often through MACT (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal) linked Lok Adalats.
3. Pension cases: These are commonly addressed, particularly for retired employees seeking timely disbursement or recalculation of pensions.

Therefore, Lok Adalats are held for all three types of cases.

Incorrect Options

Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect because Lok Adalats have a broad jurisdiction covering a wide range of civil, consumer, and other disputes, including all three categories mentioned in the question. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, empowers Lok Adalats to resolve disputes related to mobile cellular companies, motor accident claims, and pension cases, among others, through conciliation and compromise.