Jagdish Thind
Fazilka, May 04, 2019: Under the patronage of District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Fazilka Mr. Tarsem Mangla, pro-people schemes of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) are being provided to the needy persons in the district and victims should avail maximum advantage of the schemes. This appeal was made by Mr. Raj Pal Rawal, Civil Judge Senior Division, CJM-cum- Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Fazilka. He said that under Article 39-A of the Constitution of India, provision for free legal aid to the weaker and poorer sections of the society has been made.
He said that the person belongs to Scheduled Castes, forced labourer, natural disaster victim, industrial workers, women, children, under trials, mental patients, handicapped and any person whose annual income is not more than Rs.300,000 could avail free legal services. "Acid attack, disaster, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug-abuse victims, unorganized workers, children, mentally ill and mentally handicapped persons, scheduled tribes, senior citizens are being provided legal services under different schemes of NALSA", he said adding that persons in need can approach the District Legal Services Authority to avail the schemes.
He said that Legal Services Authority provides Legal Services for Disaster Victims, 2010 scheme to help disaster victims and reduce their risks. Similarly, under NALSA (Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation) Scheme, 2015, women victims bringing through illegal trade, are prepared and sensitized to avail the justice. While, through NALSA (Legal Services to the Workers in the Unorganized Sector) Scheme, 2015, authority ensures the necessary legal services up to all unorganized workers and they have been sensitized about good environment at work, livelihood and for social security of workers in the unorganized sector besides assisting them for registration under concerned authority.
He further said that NALSA (Child Friendly Legal Services to Children and their Protection) Scheme, 2015 ensures care and protection of children and legal representation for the legal disputes of children at all levels. Similarly, helpless, homeless and destitute mentally ill and mentally handicapped persons are being provided legal services under NALSA (Legal Services to the Mentally Ill and Mentally Disabled Persons) Scheme, 2015.
He said that for the implementation of poverty alleviation schemes, the Legal Services Authority under NALSA (Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes) Scheme, 2015 ensures the access of socially and economically backward classes to the benefits and fundamental rights. Apart from this, authority creates awareness among members, lawyers panels, social workers, para legal volunteers and students of legal aid clinics about poverty alleviation schemes. He said that under NALSA (Protection and Enforcement of Tribal Rights) Scheme, 2015, the authority ensure access to justice for Scheduled Tribes in India.
*Legal aid for acid attack victims up to national level:*
District Legal Services Authority Secretary said that under NALSA (Legal Services to Victims of acid attacks) Scheme, 2016, the authority provides legal services and representation to the victim up to national, state, district and tehsil level for the compensation.
*Schems for victims of drug-abuse and Senior citizens:*
Civil Judge said that under NALSA (Legal Services to the Victims of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug Menace) Scheme, 2015, the Legal Services Authority sensitizes general public, school/college students, prisoners and families affected with drug-abuse about the ill-effects of the drug, the legal provisions, various policies, programs and schemes, Similarly, awareness generated among senior citizens about fundamental rights, various government schemes and programs for senior citizen by conducting meeting with them at different intervals under NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016.