The National Legal Services Authority is committed to impart Legal Aid

Chandigarh, 4 February, 2016:  The  National Legal Services Authority is committed to impart Legal Aid by establishing Legal Aid Clinics with the help of State Legal Services Authority in all the village where people face geographical, social barriers for access to legal service institution.

In this context ,under the able guidance of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Shiavax jal Vazifdar, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana –cum-Patron in Chief of State Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh and Hon’ble Mr Justice Hemant Gupta, Judge, High Court of Punjab and Haryana-cum-Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority, U.T, Chandigarh opened its another Legal Aid Clinic in Centre for Human Rights and Duties,Punjab University Chandigarh on 04.02.2016.

The Students were told about the working of theState Legal Services Authority,UT Chandigarh and the duties of a Para Legal Volunteer  . Speaking on the occasion Sh. Rajeshwar Singh,Law Officer  said the Legal clinics originated as a method of practical teaching of law to  Para Legal Volunteers , but today they encompass also free legal aid with no academic links. Many legal clinics offer pro bono work in one or more particular areas, providing free legal services to clients. The aim of the Legal Aid Clinics is to make the facilities  reach the people at their Door Steps.

Sh Gautam Bhardwaj, Mentor/Advocate told the gathering about the duties of a Para Legal Volunteer and how the Legal Aid Clinic would be functioning thereby giving the people an idea of the aims and objects of this inauguration. Ms Sowette, PLV apprised the gathering about the aims and objects of the Authority and the concept of free legal aid.

The Students were shown a move titled as “Apne Ajnabi”’ wherein  the plight of a North East student was told and how he was thrashed and how he suffered racial discrimination .Later  the National Legal Services Authority and the State Legal Services Authority helped him to get him justice.

This was an initiative taken by National legal Services Authority wherein it was found that the students from Northeast were facing difficulties/racial discrimination and to help them these Special Clinics have been opened in various parts of India . Dr Swarnjit Kaur, Coordinator, Centre for Human Rights and Duties Para Legal Volunteers and Students of the various departments of the Punjab University were also present on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of the Authority in reaching the masses.