Law Minister stresses for economic, social equality
Lawyers, para-legal volunteers need to be encouraged: CJI
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, June 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a sea change since the abrogation of Article 370 with benefits of more than 800 laws being extended to the people of the Union Territory.
Sinha said this while addressing the inaugural function of the 19th Legal Services Authority meeting here at SKICC.
The LG said that for decades, there were sections who were deprived of benefits of laws passed by Parliament but following the abrogation of Article 370, benefits of more than 800 laws were extended to Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has changed in the last few years for good. “The ‘Patwari’ was more powerful here than the Collector. We have digitised all revenue records in three languages. The empire has ended. There are some people who have a problem with this,” he said.
The LG said many high-profile events have been organised in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since 2019.
“A G20 event was held successfully. It was more talked about than the main meeting that will be held in Goa. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is known world over.
“After that we are having this national event here. We had the national dairy meet and ICAI national meet. This is the changing Jammu and Kashmir. I can say a lot more but I will keep it short due to paucity of time,” he added.
Talking about the legal services meeting, Sinha said a delay in justice defeats the purpose of righteousness.
“Legal Services Authority have played a key role in ensuring justice to the underprivileged sections of the society. It has been able to establish the system of justice in the remotest parts of the country,” he added.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told the meeting that it must be the goal of the Governments that every citizen must have economic and social equality.
“…The services of the Indian Legal Services Authorities are commendable…It must be the goal of the upcoming Government that every citizen must have economic and social equality…As soon as justice is delivered to everyone…it will automatically lead to social and economic equality…National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is fulfilling the dreams of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar…,” he added.
Chief Justice of India and Patron-in-Chief, NALSA, Justice DY Chandrachud, while addressing the meeting said that lawyers and para-legal volunteers need to be encouraged to unlearn their social biases.
“…For people to trust legal aid, it must be competent and of desired quality…We need to increase the capabilities of lawyers and para-legal volunteers…encourage them to unlearn their social biases…I would urge legal services institutions to encourage more women and transgender persons to serve as lawyers and para-legal volunteers…,” he said.
The Chief Justice of India congratulated the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and J&K Legal Services Authority for organizing the meet and bringing together the wealth of learning and experience of Indian Judiciary.
“This significant meet in the perspective of the Indian Judiciary is the reflection of mainstreaming of J&K and Ladakh in the discourse of development in India,” he said.
“Our Constitution seeks to create social order based on the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Social Justice. The Indian Constitution recognized the fundamental rights of every individual regardless of their social and economic status,” he observed.
Brig.(Dr.)B.D.Mishra (Retd.), Lt Governor of Ladakh, commended the National Legal Services Authority for its efforts in ensuring access to Justice to the weak, poor and marginalized.
Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Justice Tashi Rabstan, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh presented a detailed insight on Legal Aid Movement in India and the working of the Legal Services Authorities across the country.
A manual for District Legal Services Authorities functioning across the country was also released on the occasion.
Judges of Supreme Court, Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts from across the country; members of Judiciary, legal experts, senior officials of police and civil administration attended the inaugural session.
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