JAMMU: In a significant step towards strengthening access to justice and expanding the outreach of legal services to the grassroots level, Chief Justice Arun Palli on Wednesday flagged off a fleet of Multi Utility Vehicles for District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) of the Jammu province at the High Court Complex, Janipur.
Justice Palli, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority, flagged off the vehicles in the presence of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority, along with companion judges of the High Court at Jammu.
The vehicles have been procured under the guidance of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) with the objective of strengthening the delivery of legal aid and welfare services, particularly in far-flung, rural, remote and underserved areas of the Union Territory.
Appreciating the initiative, Chief Justice Palli observed that access to justice must not remain confined to courtrooms alone but should meaningfully reach every citizen, especially those belonging to vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. He emphasized that such initiatives are essential for taking justice to the doorsteps of the people.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar also lauded the launch, stating that the vehicles would significantly enhance the outreach and efficiency of District Legal Services Authorities. He described the initiative as another important step towards making legal services more accessible to the common people. He further informed that similar Multi Utility Vehicles are planned to be launched shortly for districts of the Kashmir province as well, ensuring that the benefits of the initiative reach every region of the Union Territory in an equitable manner.
While interacting with media persons, Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, Shazia Tabasum, highlighted that the vehicles will be utilized for conducting legal awareness programmes, facilitating outreach camps, extending assistance to beneficiaries under various legal aid schemes, supporting Para Legal Volunteers, and ensuring better coordination of legal services activities at the district level. She noted that the initiative would significantly strengthen the institutional capacity of District Legal Services Authorities in serving the people more efficiently.
The vehicles will also be used for carrying out awareness campaigns on a wide range of issues, including legal aid, women and child rights, senior citizens’ welfare, victim compensation, mediation, Lok Adalats, drug de-addiction awareness, child protection, and other welfare-oriented initiatives undertaken by Legal Services Institutions from time to time.
The programme was attended by Registrar General M. K. Sharma, judicial officers, officers of the Registry, Administrative Officer Muzamil Hayat Kabli, other officials of the J&K Legal Services Authority, staff members and dignitaries.
The initiative reflects the continued commitment of the J&K Legal Services Authority towards ensuring that free legal aid and justice delivery mechanisms become more accessible, responsive and citizen-centric across the Union Territory.
