PNS|Hyderabad
The Grama Nyayalayalu (constitution of village courts) file has been pending in the High Court for the last four-and-a-half years. The Forum for Good Governance (FGG) has made a representation to the Registrar General to clear the file.
The Law Commission of India in its 14-page report requested the Government of India to establish Grama Nyayalayalu (village courts) to provide access to justice at the grassroots level.
Accordingly, the Parliament enacted the Grama Nyayalayalu Act 2008. At a meeting held between the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice on 16-8-2009, it was agreed to implement the Grama Nyayalayalu Act from October 2, 2009, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Centre informed the states that it would meet the full non-recurring expenditure and 50% of the recurring expenditure. The Government of Telangana through a GO accorded sanction for the establishment of five Grama Nyayalayas in the state. The Registrar (Vigilance) High Court was asked to take action accordingly.
The matter is pending in the High Court for the last four-and-a-half years. The Registrar (Judicial) informed the FGG that the matter is under consideration.
“We understand that in many states Grama Nyayalayalus are functioning. Even for petty cases, litigants are approaching courts leading to an increase in the workload of courts and avoidable expense to the poor,” M. Padmanabha Reddy, the President of FGG said.
The FGG requested the Registrar General of the High Court to kindly look into the matter and clear the file to enable the State Government to establish Grama Nyayalayalus.
