Mediation always been part of Indian culture, New Act gives it modern form: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the National Conference on ‘Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms’ and graced the celebration of ‘Legal Services Day’ at the Supreme Court of India. The conference focuses on improving access to justice for all citizens and strengthening the delivery of legal aid services across the country.

In his inaugural address, PM Modi said that mediation has always been a part of Indian culture. "Mediation has always been a part of our culture..the new act gives modern form to that ancient culture..I believe this training module will create resources for community mediation that will resolve disputes and maintain harmony", the PM added while launching NALSA's community mediation training module.

On NALSA completing 30 years this year, the PM expressed he has full faith that every member of NALSA will continue to work towards securing justice. On NALSA's community mediation training module, the PM said, this module will rebirth India's ancient cultural knowledge that used dialogue and agreement to settle disputes.

The Prime Minister also referred to the nexus between technology and justice delivery system. "Technology is a disruptive power, but if the same technology has pro-people focus, the same technology becomes a power for democratization..we have seen how UPI has revolutionized digital payments..small vendors have become part of digital economy..", the PM added.

Saying that technology has become a source of inclusion and empowerment, PM referred to the e-courts project of justice delivery calling it a great example of the same. "The budget for Phase-III of the e-courts project has been increased to 7000 crores which shows the government's strong commitment towards this project..While moving forward towards VIKSIT BHARAT, people from the legal profession and judicial services should also imagine how our justice delivery system would be..", he said.

PM Modi also referred to Indian government's Legal Aid Defense Counsel system, through which, in three years, over 8 lakh criminal cases have been dealt with.

"When justice is accessible to all and timely, when justice reaches an individual without looking at their social or financial background, only then it becomes the foundation of social justice. I am happy that through Lok Adalat and pre-litigation settlements, lakhs of disputes are settled timely and by spending lesser money.", the PM also said.

Referring to the Jan Vishwas Act, the Prime Minister highlighted how over 3400 provisions of law have been decriminalised and1500 old laws have been annulled. Ease of doing business and ease of living is possible only when ease of justice is secured, he observed.

The event was also graced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, CJI BR Gavai (Patron-in-Chief, NALSA), Justice Surya Kant (Executive Chairman, NALSA) and Justice Vikram Nath.

The event began with an address by Justice Kant who said that legal aid is a means by which the poor, the marginalized and the invisible victims of the system can assert their rights, obtain remedies and be heard.