Government to constitute Panchayat Adalats

New Delhi, Jun 24: The Government has decided to bring in legislation to constitute Panchayat Adalats to dispose off cases at the village level and set up an expert committee under noted jurist Upendra Baxi to prepare the draft legislation.

This was announced by Panchayat Raj Minister Manishanker Aiyer on the second day of the three-day workshop here which was being attended by social workers, writers and experts on issues related to Pancharati Raj.

Mr Aiyer said the Government wanted to disposs cases of the villagers at the door-step and hence decided to introduce a draft Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament for setting up 'Nyaye Panchayats' for the purpose.

A committee has been set up under the chairmanship of former Delhi University Vice Chancellor Upender Baxi. Members of the committee include Mr D Bandopadhyay, former Union Secretary and now associated with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Mr Sanjay Singh, Joint Secretary in the Law Ministry, Mr B.S.Chimmi of the Jawahar Lal University's Department of Law, MrsVasudha Digamber and Gagan Sethi. The Committee will also have two representatives from the Government side.

He said the decision had been taken after several incidents came to light that the Panchayats had pronounced some retrograde, inhumane and unconstitutional judgements.

Mr Aiyer said the Draft Bill would be ready by the end of the Monsoon Session.

He said he had convened a meeting of chief ministers of tribal dominated nine states on July 14 so that these states could be covered under the Panchayat Extension Scheduled Area Act 1996.

Before the meeting he would also convene an experts meeting to discuss the matter, he added.

Besides he said the government launch a project to study the role of women who were getting elected to the Panchayats in large number and their problems.

UNI