CHANDIGARH: The District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Chandigarh, has added
another feather in its cap when Naya Seva Kendra—one stop solution centre for female
prisoners is inaugurated by Mr Justice Jaswant Singh, Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court-
cum-Executive Chairman, SLSA, Chandigarh in the female barrack of Model Jail,
Chandigarh, on Tuesday and the Centre started working from Wednesday. Objective of the
Centre is to enhance legal services to women inmates and their children who are facing jail
terms or trials in various crimes. .
Other present on the occasion were Mr Vijay Singh, District and Sessions Judge,
Chandigarh, Mr Mahavir Singh, Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority, UT,
Chandigarh Mr Ombir Singh IPS, IG Prisons, Chandigarh, Mr Virat, HCS, Joint IG-cum-
Superintendent Jail and Mr Ashok Kr. Mann, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary,
District Legal Services Authority, UT, Chandigarh.
  Speaking on the occasion Mr. Justice Jaswant Singh, Judge said that “This centre is
the first of its kind and only integrated centre in the country that is bringing together five
different departments to serve the Female Prisoners and their Children. He further said that he
is hopeful that these convergent efforts would go a long way in achieving the objective of
“Access to Justice” as is the motto of Legal Services Authority. This centre will not only look
after the needs of the prisoners while in the Jail, but efforts will be made to link them to
suitable rehabilitation services upon release.
  Another facility that was visited today by Mr. Justice Jaswant Singh was a “Library
cum Reading Room”. During the campaign some female prisoners had expressed their need
for a Library cum reading room. Speaking during the occasion, Sh Ombir Singh informed
that when the matter of the library was brought to the attention of Justice Jaswant Singh, he
had expressed his desire to take up the issue with the Prison Authorities urgently. The matter
was discussed it was felt that the Library cum reading room be also set up for the femaile
prisoners.
  Based on the needs expressed during the campaign, the matter had been placed
before Mr. Justice Jaswant Singh, he has been pleased to start a “Nyay Seva Kendra - One
Stop Solution Centre for Female Prisoners” to be set up in the women’s barracks that will be
a multi service centre that will be run by inputs from various departments. The centre will be
run from Monday to Friday between 09.00 am and 12 noon
The Nyay Seva Kendra, will be managed by different departments on different days of the
week providing services to the Female Children and their children as per the schedule
Monday Legal Aid Clinic run in association with District Legal Services

Authority, UT Chandigarh

Tuesday Counselling services in association with Women Helpline,
Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation
Wednesday Supplementary Educational Program in association with

Education Department

Thursday Child Protection Services, District Child Protection Unit, under

the office of Deputy Commissioner, UT Chandigarh

Friday

Community Linkages program to be run by District Level
Center for Women (under Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme),
Social Welfare Department

 
All the Departments have been requested to kindly depute a senior female staff member to
attend the Nyay Seva Kendra and assist the female prisoners and their accompanying

children. It has also requested to share pamphlets, posters and other material that may be
displayed in the centre to make the women aware.
This is the first centre of its kind in the country that will be run in convergent manner
Chandigarh will showcase this model at a National Level through National Legal
Services Authority, New Delhi.