New Delhi

Disputes Resolution Society to be set up

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet has decided to get the Delhi Disputes Resolution Society registered to pave the way for creation of a number of mediation centres in different parts of the city. It approved the registration of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to ensure access to justice and also gave its nod to a revised computer hardware procurement policy to make it more competitive and convenient. Informing the media about the decisions, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who chaired the meeting, said in order to provide speedy justice at economical rates and to reduce the backlog of pending cases in the courts initially four mediation centres would be opened. They would come up at Sector 16 of Ambedkar Bhawan Rohini; Industrial Area Patparganj; flatted factory Jhandewalan and in the District Consumer Courts. In all 11 consumer affairs mediation centres, four cheques dishonour mediation centres and four community mediation centres would be set up. For these centres, Ms. Dikshit said the services of the retired Judges will be utilised at reasonable amount of remuneration per sitting. Apart from this, services of reputed advocates will also be requisitioned.

Stating that the Delhi Government was committed to establishing mediation centres in every district with requisite infrastructure, the Chief Minister said these centres would help parties resolve their disputes amicably, economically and quickly. This, she said, would help clear the backlog of cases in the courts, save cost of litigation and cost of courts and the State and increase social harmony in the society. The focus of these centres will primarily be on pre-litigation disputes. However they would also address post litigation cases. Ms. Dikshit said the Society intends to begin work by establishing mediation centres relating to cases of consumer courts and consumer related affairs, and dishonour of cheques and accidental compensation cases and cases of community mediation. She expressed confidence that the new mechanism will go a long way in ensuring justice at minimum possible time and help people overcome mental torture being faced by them due to justice remaining elusive.The Chief Minister said a proposal for revising the computer hardware procurement policy to allow procurement from the open market including Directorate of General Supplies and Disposable and National Informatics Centre Services has also been approved.

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