Commendation Ceremony of Legal Services Functionaries
- November 15th, 2024, Imphal : Manipur State Legal Services Authority -

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Hon'be Chief Justice handing over award for best employee to L Hemanta Singh

Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) organized the Commendation Ceremony of Legal Services Functionaries for the year, 2024 on 15th November, 2024 at 3.00 PM at the Conference Hall, ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal.

The programme was graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur & Patron-in-Chief, MASLSA as Chief Guest; Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Bimol Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman, MASLSA; Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, Judge, High Court of Manipur and Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Judge, High Court of Manipur as Guests of Honour respectively.

The programme was attended by Smt. Nungshitombi Athokpam, Commissioner (Law), Govt. of Manipur; Shri N. Rajnikanta Singh, Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee, Shri Ojesh Mutum, Registrar General, High Court of Manipur, Chairpersons and Secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities, Judicial Officers, Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Panel Advocates, Mediators, Para Legal Volunteers; media persons; officers & staff of Legal Services Authorities and High Court of Manipur.

The event is organized with the objective to promote access to justice and to celebrate achievement of the workforce of the Legal Services Institutions by recognizing the exemplary services of the Panel Lawyers, Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Para Legal Volunteers, Mediators, Legal Aid Clinics, Legal Services employees in the state for their services and contribution to the cause of 'Access to Justice'.

Hon'ble Mr. Justice A. Bimol Singh handing over the award for District Best PLV

During his speech Hon’ble the Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul highlighted the services rendered by Manipur State Legal Services Authority by way of humanitarian aid provided to the internally displaced persons in the State by ascertaining the needs of the inmates through the Para Legal Volunteers stationed at the Relief Camps. He also implored that the good works that has begun will continue till the services is required by the weaker sections of the society. In one way, we can pat ourselves on our backs for what we have achieved in the past year, but we still have a long way to go.

The outreach that is needed to make sure that disadvantaged, the helpless, the unschooled are provided with free and competent legal aid is something that is ongoing process. We need to take giants step on regular basis to ensure that everybody has access to justice. He also beseechs that to make sure that our expertise, our experiences are made available to all those who would otherwise will be unable to assert their rights that is enshrined in the constitutions of India.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Bimol Singh, Executive Chairman, MASLSA highlighted the achievement of the Legal Functionaries for the year, 2024 & commended to all the Legal functionaries for their tireless efforts in rendering legal aid and services to the most vulnerable members of our society.

He further stated that Legal aid was once thought to be limited to courtrooms. But, over the course of time, the legal services authorities have broken the traditional notions of legal aid and have given an expanded meaning to access to justice. Today, the role of legal services authorities has extended to work towards legal awareness, legal literacy, and settlement of disputes through Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms, giving legal advices, among others.

Hon'ble the Chief Justice handing over award for best DLSA

Further, the legal services institution also provides services to marginalized sections of society by assisting them in availing of schemes & benefits offered by the Government. Its function also extends to assisting in the filing of physical as well as online forms, writing of applications for illiterate persons besides interacting with Government officials on behalf of the beneficiary.

He expressed his gratefulness to Hon’ble the Chief Justice of Manipur who is also the Patron-in-Chief of MASLSA for his continuous guidance and motivation in the functioning of the State Legal Services Authority. He also acknowledged that through the initiative of the Chief Justice, a huge amount of Relief Funds was generated from the High Court, High Court Bar & District Courts and relief material was distributed in relief camps in almost all the districts. The Hon’ble Chief Justice also brought so many relief materials such as mattresses, winter clothes & Children's clothes from outside the State through his well-wisher friends.

He also recounted that Hon’ble the Chief Justice visited almost all the affected Districts and he was very popular with the inmates due to his friendly & down to earth nature. His distribution of chocolates to children at relief camps is vividly remembered. He has practically taught us how to reach out to the deprived & needy persons and this valuable lesson will linger on in our memories for years to come.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Chairman, HCLSC in his speech appeal to all the Legal Functionaries that focus should be given to schools and colleges so that students are made aware of the availability of legal aid, legal rights & duties from their initial period. Today’s students will one day grow up and hold responsible positions in Government, NGOs and Society and making them well verse of the functioning of legal services will accustom them to spread legal awareness at their respective domains.

Shri Alek Muivah, Member Secretary acknowledged that through the initiative and guidance of the Chief Justice, the Bars and Bench could come together by generating funds from their own salaries and fees thereby distributing relief materials to the inmates at relief camps. Further, Hon’ble the Chief Justice visited relief camps in almost all the affected districts both at hill and valley. Some of the relief materials provided includes clothing for children, bicycles, Hot Water Bag, Blanket, Mattress, charcoal, charcoal heater (Meifu), Immersion Rod, Room Heater, Body Soap, Toothpaste, Torch-light with LED Lamp, Diapers etc.

He also congratulated all the awardees in different categories and stated that some of the services rendered by the Legal Functionaries are truly exemplary which is to be emulated by all.

The Award for State Best Panel Lawyer is given to Mr. Jonah Inka, Advocate. The State Best Para Legal Volunteer was given to Rajkumari Shakhitombi Devi, PLV of Legal Aid Clinic, Moirang. The State Best Mediator was awarded to Thangjam Rebecca, Advocate. The Best Legal Aid Clinic was awarded to Legal Aid Clinic, Kiyam Leitanpok. The best Legal Services employee was awarded to Shri L. Hemanta Singh, Driver of MASLSA.

Further, the award for best District Legal Services Authority was given to Imphal West District Legal Services Authority. The best Legal Aid Defense Counsel office was also awarded to Legal Aid Defense Counsel, Imphal West. The Awardees were presented with Mementos, Certificates & Cash Prize. District level best Panel Lawyers, PLVs & Legal Aid Clinics were also facilitated by handing over certificate & cash award.

(Alek Muivah)
Member Secretary
Manipur State Legal Services Authority
(ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex,
Lamphelpat, Imphal)