ZIRO, Mar 9: Assam State Legal Services Authority Executive Chairman, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, inaugurated a legal aid clinic in the premises of the chief judicial magistrate’s office here in Lower Subansiri district on Monday.
Justice Singh advised the gathering, comprising APSLSA Member Secretary Jaweplu Chai, Lower Subansiri DLSA Chairman Lobsang Tenzing, GBs and lawyers, to create awareness among the public about the free legal aid and counselling provided at the legal aid clinics.
He suggested involving GBs as mediators and counsellors during lok adalats to ensure effective and speedy decision-making.
“The age-old traditional institutions cannot be changed, but adaptations have to be made to strengthen it. If necessary, we shall provide trainings to the GBs to strengthen the legal system at the grassroots level,” he said.
Chai highlighted the objectives of setting up legal aid clinics. Reiterating that the justice department envisions providing free access to legal services, she informed that “by March 2020, 10 legal aid clinics will be set up at places sans court.”
Earlier, a legal awareness programme on fundamental rights and duties was conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, in collaboration with the DLSA, at St Claret College to mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian constitution.
Justice Singh, who attended the programme, spoke about the constitution, fundamental rights, and the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. (DIPRO)
