Delhi:EROS TIMES: Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated six mediation centers of the Delhi Dispute Resolution Society (DDRS), in an event to mark the tenth anniversary of the Society held at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday in the presence of Delhi’s Law Minister Shri Kailash Gahlot, Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice M.L. Mehta, Chairman of DDRS and Vijay Kumar Dev IAS, Chief Secretary of Delhi.
While congratulating the DDRS for the completion of glorious 10 years and its spectacular achievements, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Mediation is a powerful idea. It is the best way for dispute resolution. In mediation, both the parties win and the disputes get settled cordially. Delhi Dispute Resolution Society will be made a model initiative for the country similar to Mohalla Clinics. We’ll aggressively promote this initiative”. He also quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts to settle the disputes amicable through mediation, when he started his legal profession in South Africa.
In the event, Kailash Gahlot Delhi’s Law Minister said, “Usually, people prefer to get into litigation as the last resort. Litigation is very expensive and time-consuming. As a government working for the common people, Delhi government is committed to ensure an affordable and accessible justice system in the city. We need to take justice to the doorstep of the people. For this, we’ll set up more mediation centers of DDRS across the city”.
Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev (IAS) said, “India continues to be the largest democracy in the world. The credit goes to our great constitution and the vision and the farsightedness of the founding fathers of the constitution, as envisioned in the principles of the preamble – Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. DDRS is a good example of the harmonious interface between the judiciary and executive. Such ventures can establish people’s trust in the public institutions.”
Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Madan Lokur said, “In mediation, disputes get amicably settled. The relationships also will survive between the parties. Mediation can also facilitate quick resolution of the disputes, comparing to the lengthy judicial processes. Disputes get settled usually within 30 -60 days. Mediation is less expensive. It is almost free”. While appreciating the achievements of DDRS, he added “DDRS is the first and the only institution to introduce community mediation – an initiative to deliver decentralized and speedy justice in society. The scope of DDRS needs to be expanded as it can ensure peace and harmony in Delhi. Further, we should make people aware of the activities of DDRS”, he added.
“Since its inception, nearly 75000 cases were brought to DDRS and around 33000 cases have been settled with a highly commendable 44% percent success rate”, said Justice M.L. Mehta, Chairman of Delhi Dispute Resolution Society.
Chief Minister also distributed certificates to the mediators who successfully completed the training program conducted by DDRS.