A Pan India Campaign is being organized by District Legal Services Authority [DLSA], Thiruvananthapuram under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority [NALSA] from 7 November 2022 to 11 November 2022 in relation to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The campaign fundamentally aims to bridge the gap between the institution and the underprivileged by spreading legal awareness and to ensure delivery of legal entitlement to eligible beneficiaries. In connection with this, the Legal Services Day [November 9] shall be observed by DLSA at Anna Chandy Memorial Auditorium, ADR Centre in Thiruvananthapuram from 10.00 am. The inaugural ceremony shall focus on the topic ‘Constitution and Legal Aid’. Panel Lawyers, Law Interns and Para Legal Volunteers will participate in the programme.
Sri K Sanil Kumar, 1st Additional District and Sessions Judge & the Chairman of Taluk Legal Services Committee Thiruvananthapuram will inaugurate the programme. Presidential Address shall be delivered by Sri. K. Vidyadharan, Secretary [Sub Judge], District Legal Services Authority, Thiruvananthapuram. Adv. Anayara Shaji, the President of Bar Association, Thiruvananthapuram shall give the felicitation for the event. On the occasion, Safi Mohan M R, Assistant Professor of Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram will give the Special Address.
ABOUT THE TOPIC
Legal Aid is a constitutional right in India which finds mention in Article 39 A of the Indian Constitution and is supported by Article 15 and Article 21. India is a country which consists of the downtrodden masses who are deprived even of the basic amenities of their lives. The provision of Legal Services is enshrined in the supreme law of our country with an aim to take law and law enforcement mechanisms to the doorstep of ordinary men. A host of observations of Justice V R Krishna Iyer and Justice P N Bhagwati has played a pivotal role in widening the horizons of free legal aid services in India. The Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 was enacted by the Parliament to constitute legal services authorities to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats to secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity. National Legal Services Day is observed every year on 9th November to commemorate the commencement of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which came into force on 9th November, 1995
Law is an aspiration for change. Law without justice is a wound without cure. Providing Legal Services to those who are far away from the world of privileges is certainly a realization of the spirit of natural justice as well as rule of law.
ABOUT NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
The National Legal Services Authority [NALSA] has been constituted under the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 in order to provide free Legal Services to the vulnerable sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats for the amicable settlement of disputes. Its motto is Access to Justice For All. In every state in our country, State Legal Services Authority has been constituted to give effect to the policies and directions of the NALSA. In every district, District Legal Services Authority [DLSA] has been set up to enforce Legal Services Programmes in the District.
