Question

What is a Nyaya Panchayat? What is its function?

Answer 1

Ans. Nyaya Panchayat is an important institution of the Panchayati Raj System. It has the powers of local court. Though its members are elected by the Gram Panchayat only but no member of Gram Panchayat can be elected as the member of Nyaya Panchayat. The main aim of establishing this institution was to reduce hassles and fast redressal of public grievances at the grass root level.

The functions of Nyaya Panchayat can be understood as under:

• It adjudicates the petty civil and criminal cases related to the village.
• Its duty is to study the case on both sides and then pass on the ruling keeping all the factors in mind.
• It can only impose fine and cannot send anybody to jail.
• It is a fast and hassle free method of gaining justice but if the person is not satisfied he/she can appeal in the higher court.