Awareness Programme on Functioning of Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services Organized at ADR Centre, Sector 43, Chandigarh

An awareness programme was organized at the ADR Centre, District Court Complex, Sector 43, Chandigarh, to disseminate detailed information regarding the scheme and functioning of the Permanent Lok Adalat for Public Utility Services.

The programme was attended by around 35 participants, including Para Legal Volunteers of the District Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh, along with Anganwadi Supervisors and Anganwadi Workers from the Department of Social Welfare, U.T. Chandigarh.

The session was chaired by Sanjay Kumar Sachdeva, Chairman, Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), Chandigarh. He was accompanied by Roonam Kaushik, Member, Permanent Lok Adalat, and Surjeet Kaur Walia, Member, Permanent Lok Adalat.

Addressing the participants, Sanjay Kumar Sachdeva elaborated on the establishment, jurisdiction and functioning of the Permanent Lok Adalat. He explained that Permanent Lok Adalats for Public Utility Services have been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide speedy and cost-effective justice in matters relating to public utility services such as transport, postal services, telegraph, insurance, electricity, water supply, public conservancy and sanitation.

He emphasized that the Permanent Lok Adalat primarily facilitates the settlement of disputes through conciliation. In cases where conciliation fails, it is empowered to decide disputes on merits, thereby reducing the burden on regular courts and ensuring timely justice.

Sachdeva appreciated the vital role played by Anganwadi Workers, noting that they work at the grassroots level and maintain close contact with the community. He stated that their awareness of the day-to-day problems faced by citizens places them in a unique position to spread information about the Permanent Lok Adalat. He urged them to act as a bridge between the institution and the public so that the benefits of this Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism reach those in need.

Highlighting the importance of such programmes, the Chairman said that awareness initiatives help sensitize citizens about their legal rights and the remedies available to them. He added that similar programmes would continue to be organized regularly to ensure greater public awareness regarding the role and functioning of the Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services) and to encourage citizens to approach it for quick and effective dispute resolution.

The participants were also informed that the next awareness interaction/workshop has been scheduled for June 26, 2026, with senior citizens of U.T. Chandigarh.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session during which participants sought clarifications regarding the procedure for approaching the Permanent Lok Adalat and the types of cases that can be filed before it.