Interaction Programme with Legal Aid Clinics

27th June 2019

Interaction Programme with Legal Aid Clinics on 27th June 2019

A One Day Interaction Programme with the Co-ordinators of Legal Aid Clinics of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Churachandpur & Chandel districts was held at Conference Hall, ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal. The programme was presided by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA).

Smt. G. Gaiphulshillu, Member Secretary, MASLSA, Shri K. Nirojit, Secretary, Imphal West DLSA & Shri S. Sadananda, Deputy Member Secretary, MASLSA were also present in the programme.

Coordinator PLV interacting with His Lordship Hon'ble Executive Chairman, MASLSA

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Executive Chairman, MASLSA highlighted the key roles and responsibilities of the Co-ordinators and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of each Legal Aid Clinics in providing legal aid and assistance to the vulnerable and marginalized people and those living under Below Poverty Line.

His Lordship further stated that PLVs should have basic knowledge & functioning of the Laws applicable at the grass-root level with reference to their day-to-day life, and the functioning of the Police, Social Welfare Department, Woman and Child Welfare Department etc dealing with different welfare schemes of Central and State Governments.

His Lordship also highlighted that there are more than 100 government welfare schemes available in Manipur. However, the intended beneficiaries face various hurdles in availing those schemes such as Old Aged Pension, Widow Pension etc.

3 Hon'ble Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman, MASLSA addressing the participants during the Interaction Programme

Here lies the role & importance of Para Legal Volunteers in providing awareness, support and assistance in making the entitled beneficiaries in availing their due rights. His Lordship also described the duties of the PLVs as per Law.

Smt. G. Gaiphulshillu, Member Secretary, MASLSA stated that Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) should act as intermediaries for bridging the gap between the common people and the Legal Services Institutions and to remove impediments in access to justice. The process aims at Legal Services Institutions reaching out to the people at their doorsteps rather than people approaching such Legal Services Institutions.

The coordinators of the Legal Aid Clinics shared their success stories as well as challenges faced by them in performing their duties.

Poverty, illiteracy and physical distance are found to be the major inarticulate barrier for facilitating “access to justice” to the people of Manipur. The Para Legal Volunteers will ensure and strengthen the delivery of legal aid to all sections of people and thereby ultimately removing the barriers to “access to justice”.

4 Smt. G. Gaiphulshillu, Member Secretary, MASLSA during the Interaction Programme

Sd/-
( S. Sadananda ) MJS
Deputy Member Secretary
Manipur State Legal Services Authority
(ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal West - 795004)
Telephone:0385-2411775,