Punjab State Legal Services Authority SAS Nagar Member Secretary-cum-District & Sessions Judge Arun Gupta today informed that state legal services authority has so far covered 4490 villages of the state for sensitizing people about their legal rights and services.
In a press communiqué issued here, he said that the state authority in association with all the District Legal Services Authorities and other departments of state government have been putting all endeavour in reaching out to each and every village and town. “We have organized 3511 Legal Literacy Programmes all over the State through various DLSAS so far, besides covering a total of 4490 villages”, he added.
PopGupta said that in the 75th year of independence and 25th year of Legal Aid Movement, a Nationwide Campaign “PAN India Awareness and Outreach Programme-Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav– October 2 to November 14– ” has been launched by the National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Tewari, Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, this Mass Awareness Drive has been initiated throughout the State of Punjab by the Punjab State Legal Services Authority.
He said that the endeavour is to reach out to all the villages and towns of the State thrice, in addition to door to door campaigning so that the footprints of existence of legal services could be left in each village and town. Under this state level campaign, the masses are to be made aware about the concept of Free Legal Aid and procedure for availing free legal services. Under Section 12 of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, a woman, child, any person in custody, specially abled persons, SC/ST and any person having annual income of Rs. 3.00 lacs can avail the benefit of an advocate to be paid by the Authority. The services can be availed in all Courts, Commissions and Tribunals.
