Sir,
I would like to highlight the significance of Panchayati Adalats in the system of Panchayati Raj. To begin with, it may be mentioned here that the village Panchayats are the multifunctional units of localself government. There are many functions performed by the village Panchayats which include administrative functions, developmental functions and judicial functions. The judicial functions of village Panchayats are very important and also quite different from all other functions.
In order to perform the judicial functions properly, there is a provision for the establishment of a judicial Panchayat commonly known as” Adalat Panchayats”.As per provision laid down in the Jammu and Kashmir state Panchayati Raj Act, the newly constituted Panchayats have to send a panel of seven persons to the Director Rural Development department for approval and out of these persons approved by the director rural development department,one of the members may be elected as a chairman of the adalati Panchayat.
As per my own knowledge and experience, the Adalati Panchayats are constituted without following any kind of logic or rules. The members are chosen on pick and choose basis and irrespective of knowledge, experience and capabilities of the concerned members which results into a mockery. Though no educational qualification is prescribed for the post of member or chairman,yet it should be the duty of Sarpanch to take into consideration a number of qualities of the persons being recommended for the purpose so that the adalati Panchayats could function properly.
I would also like to suggest to the Director Rural Development department to review the provisions governing constitution of Adalat Panchayats and prescribe some educational qualifications for the members of adalati Panchayats so that they could serve the purpose for which they are constituted
O P Sharma
Bagnoti Nowshera
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