State legal body better than other states: Gujarat minister

State law and justice minister Ashok Bhatt stated on Tuesday that the Gujarat State Legal Authority (GSLA) had performed better in comparison to other states with the disposal of 19 lakh cases through Lok-Adalat and arbitrations.

Under the chairmanship of Bhatt, MLA consultative meet was held of law, judiciary, legal and parliamentary affairs department, co-ordination of voluntary organisations, non-residential organisations, cow-breeding, Devsthan and pilgrimage divisions in the state Capital on Monday.

The minister stated that verdicts of lok-adalats and arbitration were the excellent remedy for the disposal of pending cases.

He added that 123 courts had started functioning out of approved 166 fast-track courts in the state and it had been planned to make functional remaining courts within a short period.

He expressed confidence that the burden of cases would be alleviated on courts due to the fast track courts. He also exhorted MLAs to initiate endeavours for the quick disposal of cases through holding more lok-adalats in their concerned areas.

Bhatt disclosed that Gujarat was the first state to have implemented the law of disaster management across the country. He informed that laws known with the name of "Mumbai" would be replaced by "Gujarat" bringing about modifications.

"Pilgrim facility centre would be opened near Ambaji and administration of temple at rural level would be entrusted to local level committees," he said.