Chief Justice of India and patron-in-chief of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) justice P Sathasivam on Friday inaugurated the ‘Nationwide village-legal services clinics’ through a video conference from New Delhi.
Justice Sathasivam said that the village legal services clinics were primarily intended to redress grievances of rural people. These clinics would serve the poor by providing access to justice in their own villages.
After attending the video conference programme at the High Court, chief justice KJ Sengupta told newsmen that 569 villages were identified for setting up ‘Village legal services clinics’ in pursuance of the directions of NALSA. These will be in addition to the existing 735 legal services clinics in the state. All these clinics were intended to render necessary legal services, legal advice and assistance to common people in their own village. The clinics will function like a bridge between the public and legal services functionaries to redress people’s grievances. Legal aid volunteers will sensitise people to fight for their rights.
Referring to activities of the Legal Services Authority, Sengupta said the National Lok Adalat, organised in November last year, had settled about 1.13 lakh cases. Free legal aid to the poor will be provided under the scheme.
he said steps would be taken to utilise funds available under the 13th Finance Commission and NALSA grants. High Court judge and executive chairperson of the AP State Legal Services Authority justice G Rohini and several other judges were present.
