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NALSA to hold drive in Arunachal as part of its tribal legal outreach
Beyond awareness, the programme will offer immediate legal assistance, enabling tribal individuals to resolve grievances and claim entitlements.
New Delhi In a significant move to bridge the justice gap in remote tribal communities, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is set to conduct a mega legal awareness programme camp in Arunachal Pradesh on March 29 and 30. The initiative, spearheaded by justice Bhushan R Gavai, executive chairman of NALSA, will focus on empowering tribal populations in Dirang, Bomdila (West Kameng District), and Tawang with legal awareness, on-the-spot legal aid and access to welfare schemes.
With over 68% of Arunachal Pradesh’s population belonging to scheduled tribes (STs) as per the 2011 Census, a statement issued by NALSA said, the outreach programme underscores the Authority’s commitment to ensuring social, economic and political justice for marginalised communities.
“The event will educate tribals on key legal frameworks, including the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Assam Frontier (Administration of Justice) Regulation, 1945, and the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Court Act, 2021. Special focus will also be given to NALSA’s 2015 Tribal Rights Protection Scheme and other central and state welfare programmes,” stated the release.
Beyond awareness, the programme will offer immediate legal assistance, enabling tribal individuals to resolve grievances and claim entitlements. Justice Gavai, who will be accompanied by justice Ujjal Bhuyan, will also visit a jail and a children’s home in Tawang, assessing legal needs and interacting with vulnerable groups.
The initiative aligns with NALSA’s broader mission of strengthening access to justice for tribal communities, with over 1.3 lakh tribals benefiting from free legal aid in 2024 alone. By bringing legal services directly to tribal settlements, the release said, NALSA aims to empower indigenous communities, protect their rights, and enhance their integration into the justice system.
First national lok adalat of 2025 resolves 3.09 crore cases
NALSA recently marked a major milestone in justice delivery with the first national lok adalat of 2025, held on March 8. Led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, patron-in-chief of NALSA, and justice Gavai, the nationwide lok adalat resolved a record 3.09 crore cases across 37 states and Union territories.
With an impressive disposal rate of 79.01%, the lok adalat settled 2.58 crore pre-litigation cases and 50.82 lakh pending cases, effectively reducing judicial backlog and preventing fresh litigation. The total settlements amounted to ₹18,212.23 crores, providing substantial financial relief to individuals and institutions.
While Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of cases disposed of, Jharkhand achieved the highest disposal percentage at 99.95%. The event underscored the growing reliance on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure timely and cost-effective justice.
Praising the initiative, justice Gavai highlighted its transformative impact: “The disposal of over 3.09 crore cases demonstrates the commitment of the legal services authorities to ensuring justice reaches every individual in a timely and efficient manner. The Lok Adalat mechanism has not only facilitated an efficient resolution of disputes but has also significantly contributed to the well-being of litigants, proving that justice must be both swift and compassionate.”
