Kerala High Court directs KELSA to fill vacancies in Permanent Lok Adalat after State sanctions five posts

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) to address shortage of staff at Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) in Ernakulam by appointing persons to five posts sanctioned by the State government [Bobby P Kuriakose v State of Kerala & Ors.]. .Justice Devan Ramachandran passed the order after being informed by the State that it has sanctioned the positions of head clerk, bench assistant, clerical assistant (daily wages), confidential assistant and office attendant, to which appointments are to be made by deputing personnel from the state subordinate judicial service or high court service. The State also told the Court that KELSA can make the appointments and that the government would pay the necessary salary. "In the afore circumstances and with the consent of both sides, I allow this Writ Petition, directing the competent Authority of the KELSA to appoint persons against the said posts at the earliest, but not later than two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Needless to say, once such appointments are made and the Government will ensure funds for payment of salary to such persons, without any avoidable delay," the judgment stated. .The Court was considering a plea filed by one Bobby Kuriakose to provide sufficient staff strength at the PLA. Kuriakose also prayed that his insurance claim, which is pending before the PLA, be heard and disposed of within a time frame.The plea stated that Kuriakose's insurance claim case which was posted for evidence on October 26, 2022 was adjourned to December 6, 2022. On enquiry, Kuriakose was informed that the PLA had partially stopped functioning due to lack of sufficient staff and all cases, except flood-related cases, had been adjourned by notification for the previous 2 months.It was argued that if the Court does not interfere, the functioning of the PLA at Ernakulam would come to an indefinite stand-still and the very object of the statute will be defeated..During hearing in January this year, the High Court had observed that with the existing arrangements at the PLA, it would be impossible for the Lok Adalat to take up and dispose of the regular cases and the appeals relating to the floods of 2018. The Court had also called for a report from the State government on the basis of which the present judgment was issued. Pursuant to the same, the State told the Court that five posts have been sanctioned..The petitioner was represented by advocates Rajesh Vijayendran and Asok Chacko Thomas..[Read Judgment]