CHANDIGARH: The State Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh and guidance of Ms. Justice Ritu Bahri, Acting Chief Justice-cum-Executive Chairperson, State Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh organized Legal Awareness Programme in Govt. College of Education, Sector-20D, Chandigarh on Thursday to commemorate National Legal Services Day.
The State Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh and District Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh in the year 2022 provided legal aid to 1865 persons and the legal aid in the year 2023 from January to October 31st, 2023 has been provided to 1805 persons. A Counselling Centre, which was a first initiative of its kind in India, has also been setup in the ADR Centre, District Courts, Sector-43, Chandigarh with the objective to provide counselling in pre-litigation matters relating to matrimonial/family disputes pending with Women Cell, Chandigarh; disputes such as divorce petition, maintenance (u/s 125 Cr.P.C.), custody matters of children, cases under Domestic Violence Act, u/s 498-A of IPC and other matters involving family disputes pending in the District Courts, Chandigarh.
The Legal Aid Defense Counsel System has also been setup in District Courts Complex in the month of June, 2023 to provide legal services in criminal matters on the pattern of Public Defender System in Magistrate and Sessions Courts of Chandigarh.
The Authority also organized National Legal Awareness Week from November 1-9, promote access to justice for the marginalized and deprived citizens of the society by organizing various awareness programme in villages, colonies of Chandigarh on various topics such as road safety, POCSO, legal services to the victim of acid attack, legal services to senior citizens, to eradicate the menace of drug abuse. The skit programmes on various socio-legal issues were also organized at Sector-17 Plaza by the students of UILS, Panjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with SLSA and DLSA, Chandigarh.
Arunvir Vashista, District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh was the chief guest on the occasion and he motivated and encouraged the participants especially students to promote the cause of justice by providing effective legal services. He also motivated the students to keep learning throughout their lives and follow the path of righteousness as in this way they can promote rule of law.
Surender Kumar, Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh during his inaugural address stated that for the functioning of a healthy democracy, it was necessary that the people should have a feeling that their rights and dignity were well protected and recognized. Ms. Navjeet Klair, CJM-cum-Secretary, DLSA, Chandigarh also addressed and stated that the Panel Advocates and Para Legal Volunteers have a duty towards society to create awareness in order to ensure free and competent legal services to the poor and weaker sections of the society. She also motivated the Panel Advocates and Para Legal Volunteers to work efficiently in achieving the objective to promote access to justice for all.
The Authority also recognized the commendable work done by the Panel Lawyers, Para Legal Volunteers, Legal Aid Clinics and Legal Literacy Cells working in schools and colleges by awarding commendation certificates and mementos in different 10 categories on this occasion. Government College of Education, Sector-20D, Chandigarh also performed a skit to prevent female foeticide on this occasion.