FREE LEGAL AID SERVICES FOR POOR

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The free legal aid services to the poor, in vogue during the last 12 years, provided under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, have benefited about 40.40 lakh persons through court oriented free legal aid programmes at the national, state, district and taluka levels. During the period, 1,24,000 Lok Adalats have been organized and 1.40 crore cases settled.

During the period from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001, 4.16 lakh persons were benefited through court oriented free legal aid programmes. Of them, about 86,650 persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, 14,850 persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes, more than 60,900 Women and 14,600 Children were benefited.

During 2001, over 2025 Lok Adalats were organize, wherein more than 6.93 lakh cases were settled. The Lok Adalats awarded a compensation of Rs. 221 crores to the victims in 40,650 motor vehicles accident claims cases. The Lok Adalats also dealt with land acquisition, petty criminal, civil and matrimonial cases during the period.