Kerala High Court Directs State Legal Service Authority To Make Appointments To 'Understaffed' Permanent Lok Adalat

While hearing a petition highlighting that the Permanent Lok Adalath, Ernakulam is understaffed, the Kerala High Court directed the competent Authority of the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) to appoint persons against the vacant posts at the earliest.

A Single Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran accepted the submission of the counsel for the KELSA that if the Government is willing to allow her client to make appointments, they will do so without any avoidable delay.

Advocate Asok Chacko Thomas appeared for the Petitioner, whereas Advocate Rajeev Jyothish George appeared for the Respondent.

The Bench found that a report was called for by the Kerala High Court from the Chairman of the Lok Adalath, and the said report dated Dec 14, 2022 certainly projected the said situation at the said Authority.

“The Government Pleader submitted that a Statement has been filed by the 1st respondent on 09.02.2023, wherein, it has been averred that, as per the Government Order dated 18.10.2010, five posts are sanctioned to the Authority; namely, Head Clerk, Bench Assistant, Clerical Assistant (Daily Wages), Confidential Assistant and Office Attendant; and that the appointments to there are to be made by means of deputation from the State Subordinate Judicial Service, or from the High Court Service”, noted the Bench.

Accordingly, accepting the submission that such appointments can be made by the KELSA, the High Court clarified that once such appointments are made, the Government will ensure funds for payment of salary to such persons, without any avoidable delay.

Cause Title: Bobby P Kuriakose v. State of Kerala & Ors. [Neutral Citation: 2023: KER: 70672]

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