Legal Aid for All: SLSA, DLSA Organize Programs to Promote Access to Justice

SLSA, DLSA Organize Legal Awareness Program for Law Students, Capacity Building Program for Para Legal Volunteers

The State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), U.T., Chandigarh, organized a Legal Awareness Programme for law students at the NMIMS, Chandigarh Campus on 1st November, 2023. The program was organized in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), U.T., Chandigarh.

Sh. Surender Kumar, Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-Member Secretary, SLSA, U.T., Chandigarh, and Ms. Navjeet Klair, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, DLSA, U.T., Chandigarh, participated in the program. They motivated the law students to work as Student Para Legal Volunteers to improve their clinical legal skills and to inculcate an attitude amongst them to provide effective legal services to the poor and marginalized people of U.T., Chandigarh.

Sh. Kumar discussed the various provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the working of SLSA, and the provisions of the POCSO Act in the inaugural session. He motivated the students to work as flag bearers to create awareness amongst the masses so that the opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. He also exhorted them to visit nearby villages and conduct legal awareness programs to promote the settlement of disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation, Lok Adalats, and conciliation.

Ms. Klair also addressed the law students and laid emphasis on the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, the constitution of Anti-Ragging Cells in Colleges and Universities, and the working of DLSA, U.T., Chandigarh.

A Capacity Building Program was also organized for law students who are willing and dedicated to work as Para Legal Volunteers in the Legal Aid Clinic set up in the NMIMS, Chandigarh Campus. The students were explained about the provisions regarding the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs)/lodging of cases, trial of cases in Criminal Courts, and the role of various Agencies in the Criminal Justice System working in this country. The provisions regarding the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013, various Welfare Schemes of Chandigarh Administration, functioning of the Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), etc., were also discussed.

The law students were also motivated to work as a bridge between common people and Legal Services Institutions, Chandigarh, and to extend a helping hand to the needy people by creating legal awareness and redressing their problems with the help of Legal Services Institutions. Professor (Dr.) Jaskiran Kaur, Director, NMIMS, Chandigarh Campus, and Dr. Mita Chaddha, Associate Professor-cum-Convenor, Legal Aid Clinic, NMIMS, Chandigarh Campus, also addressed the students and motivated them to remain proactive in legal aid activities to increase their legal knowledge and skills, as it would help them in their future law profession.

The SLSA, U.T., Chandigarh, also conducted a program for senior citizens in EWS Colony, Maloya, by sending a Mobile Van with a team of Para Legal Volunteers, staff of SLSA, and a representative of the Social Welfare Department to create awareness about the various provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.