Ranchi, Feb. 11: The National Lok Adalat held across the state today disposed of 16,615 cases as well as disbursed Rs 65.13 crore to beneficiaries in litigation and pre-litigation stages.

The alternative dispute redressal mechanism, organised under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority and executed through Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, was conducted by sitting judges of Jharkhand High Court. As many as 11 benches of judges were formed to settle cases pending in various courts.

Jharkhand High Court alone disbursed Rs 6.5 crore and settled cases related to accident claims of motor vehicles, retirement benefits, service matters, matrimonial cases, insurance claims and criminal matters.

The judges convinced litigants to settle their disputes amicably and close it once and for all.

Some of the litigants were also granted employment by various public sector units and subsidiaries of Coal India.

Fulkumari Devi, who was contesting for a group D staff job in Central Coalfields following the death of her husband, was awarded with an appointment letter.

Justice Ananda Sen observed that the petitioner would be granted an appointment as the matter had been resolved and would not be disputed by the company.

"I am happy that the matter has been resolved and I will get a job on compassionate grounds after the death of my husband. The job will help me to overcome difficult circumstances and I can now fend for my family and children," Devi, who won the legal battle after four years, said.

Lok adalats were also held in district courts across the state. They were managed by the District Legal Services Authority headed by district judges.

Ranchi judicial commissioner Navneet Kumar said the national lok adalat had been a success and many people would return home satisfied.

"The alternate dispute redressal is an effective measure to lower the backlog of cases and at the same time ensure a speedy justice to litigants," Kumar said.