A NEW ERA IN JUDICIARY SYSTEM:

STATE GOVT DECIDES TO SET UP MORE GRAM NAYALAS.

Bhubaneswar,7th May

Govt has decided to set up seven more Gram Nayalas in addition to one operating in Puri. The new

places selected are Sanakhemundi in Ganjam, Junagarh in Kalahandi, Rajnagar in Cuttack, Ghasipura in

Keonjhar, Similiguda in Koraput, Kolnara in Rayagada and Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district. The Govt.

is also considering establishing such courts in six places of Balasore, Kalahandi, Khurda, Koraput, Puri

and Sambalpur districts. Hon,ble High Court is taking steps to make these Gramnayalays functional.

Sources say Gramnayalayas are being established as per Grama Nayalaya Act, 2008 which came to

force in October, 2009. Gram Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural

areas at their doorsteps. It is presided over by Judicial Magistrate First Class who tries the cases of both

civil and criminal nature in accordance with the First and Second Schedule to the Act. The Gram

Nyayalaya generally tries to settle the disputes as far as possible by bringing about conciliation between

the parties instead of following rigid procedures of Evidence Act. The Gram Nyayalaya are not be

bound by the rules of evidence provided in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 but are guided by the

principles of natural justice and subject to any rule made by the High Court. The judgment and orders

passed by the Gram Nyayalaya shall be deemed to be a decree and to avoid delay in its execution, the

Gram Nyayalaya shall follow summary procedure for its execution; As per available reports a sum of

Rs.244.92 lakhs have been provided for establishment of such courts out of which Central share is

144.92 lakhs and State share is 100.00 lakh. The Law Secretary Sri Debabrata Das, Development

Commissioner Sri R.N.Senapati, Finanace Secretary Sri Jugal Kishore Mohapatra and Deputy Secretary

Law Dept Sri Rajkishore Das participated in discussion. It is hoped that this measure will bring

revolutionary changes in disposal of cases and taking justice to the doorsteps of the common man

---------------------------- CS/PRO/UKM

Copy forwarded to Head Sate Portal Group with a request to hoist it in I & P R site

U.K.Mohapatra,

P.R.O. TO Chief Secretary.