MASLSA organises Commendation Ceremony 2024
Source: The Sangai Express

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

The programme was graced by Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur & Patron-in-Chief, MASLSA; Justice A Bimol Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman, MASLSA; Justice A Guneshwar Sharma, Judge, High Court of Manipur and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Judge, High Court of Manipur presidium members.

Nungshitombi Athokpam, Commissioner (Law), Government of Manipur; N Rajnikanta Singh, Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee; Ojesh Mutum, Registrar General, High Court of Manipur, Chairpersons and Secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA), Judicial Officers, Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Panel Advocates, Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs), mediators, officers & staff of Legal Services Authorities and High Court of Manipur also attended the programme.

According to a release issued by MASLSA, the ceremony was organised with the objective to promote access to justice and celebrate achievement of the workforce of the Legal Services Institutions by recognizing the exemplary services of the Panel Lawyers, Legal Aid Defense Counsels, PLVs, mediators, Legal Aid Clinics, Legal Services employees in the State for their services & contribution to the cause of 'Access to Justice'.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul highlighted the services rendered by MASLSA by way of humanitarian aid provided to the internally displaced persons in the State by ascertaining the needs of the inmates through the PLVs stationed at the relief camps.

He also implored that the good works that have begun will continue till the services are 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 an ongoing process.

We need to take giant steps on a regular basis to ensure that everybody has access to justice", he added.

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

"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 advice, among others", he said.

He continued that the legal services institution also provides services to marginalized sections of society by assisting them in availing of schemes & benefits offered by the Government.

He 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 materials were distributed in relief camps set up across the State.

Justice A Guneshwar Sharma appealed to all the Legal Functionaries to focus on 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 versed in the functioning of legal services will accustom them to spread legal awareness at their respective domains", he added.

Alek Muivah, Member Secretary of MASLSA, 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.

"The Chief Justice also visited relief camps in almost all the affected districts both at hill and valley", he added.

During the ceremony, the Award for State Best Panel Lawyer was conferred to Jonah Inka, Advocate; State Best Para Legal Volunteer was given to Rajkumari Shakhitombi Devi, PLV of Legal Aid Clinic, Moirang; State Best Mediator was awarded to Thangjam Rebecca, Advocate; Best Legal Aid Clinic was awarded to Legal Aid Clinic, Kiyam Leitanpok and the Best Legal Services Employee was awarded to L Hemanta Singh, driver of MASLSA.

Also, the award for Best District Legal Services Authority was given to Imphal West DLSA and the Best Legal Aid Defense Counsel Office was awarded to Legal Aid Defense Counsel, Imphal West.

District Level Best Panel Lawyers, PLVs & Legal Aid Clinics were also facilitated.

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