Ramban: In a major step toward modernising the justice delivery system, the Court of the Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) in Ramban has become the first labour court in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to introduce virtual hearings for labour-related cases.
The initiative allows litigants and advocates to participate in court proceedings through digital platforms, making it easier for parties to attend hearings without having to travel long distances.
The move has been widely welcomed in Ramban district, with members of the legal fraternity and local residents appreciating the administration for bringing the facility to the region. They also congratulated the District Development Commissioner and the Labour Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir, for facilitating the establishment of virtual court hearing infrastructure in the district.
Speaking to the media, the Assistant Labour Commissioner said the initiative aims to ensure faster disposal of pending cases while reducing inconvenience for litigants, particularly those from remote areas and economically weaker sections.
“The introduction of virtual hearings in the ALC Court Ramban will significantly help in early disposal of cases and reduce the hardships faced by poor and downtrodden litigants who often have to travel long distances to attend court proceedings,” he said.
Officials said the initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Digital India programme, which promotes the integration of digital technologies into governance through the e-Courts Mission Mode Project to enhance transparency and improve public service delivery.
The virtual hearing system is expected to benefit workers, employers and litigants from remote areas by reducing travel burdens, cutting case pendency and ensuring quicker resolution of labour disputes.
Local residents, lawyers and members of civil society have expressed hope that similar digital reforms will soon be extended to other quasi-judicial forums across the Union Territory.
