Himachal adopts policy to settle disputes at early stage

Himachal Pradesh has adopted a litigation policy to settle disputes at the pre-litigation stage itself, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said here on Sunday.

Speaking at a conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts here, he said the state agencies have been directed to fairly and promptly dispose of the claims and make efforts to avoid litigation.

"Our government has formulated a litigation policy to settle disputes at pre-litigation stage with a view to saving time and cost," the chief minister said.

For this purpose, he said, committees at the state and departmental-level have been constituted.

The chief minister said that for expeditious disposal of service matters of employees and to reduce the burden of the high court, the state administrative tribunal has been set up.

On issues related to women, he said: "The laws that take care of the rights and privileges of the women are numerous.

"However, due to ignorance, illiteracy and poverty, benefits of such laws are not percolating down to the needy, especially women," he regretted.

"Something substantial is required to be done. Therefore, deliberations should also focus on enforcement of laws to inculcate a sense of security and confidence in the women," he observed.