In Perspective Of Indian Judiciary, AILSA Meet Is Reflection Of Mainstreaming Of J&K- Ladakh In Discourse Of Development In India:CJI

Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha; Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.); Union MoS for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Judges of Supreme Court also graced the occasion and addressed the meet.

The Chief Justice of India congratulated the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and J&K Legal Services Authority for organizing the meet and bringing together the wealth of learning and experience of Indian Judiciary.

"This significant meet in the perspective of the Indian Judiciary is the reflection of mainstreaming of J&K and Ladakh in the discourse of development in India," the CJI said.

Our Constitution seeks to create social order based on the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Social Justice. The Indian Constitution recognized the fundamental rights of every individual regardless of their social and economic status, he observed.

The CJI expressed gratitude to NALSA, all the office bearers, members of Legal Services Authorities, lawyers, para-legal volunteers for striving to make the constitutional goal of social justice a reality.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Friday said the choice of Srinagar as the venue for the 19th Legal Services Authority meet reflects the mainstreaming of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the discourse on the country's development.

He also said that the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is an exemplar of the nation's commitment to serve others.

"I must compliment NALSA for putting up this event in Srinagar. The importance of Srinagar goes beyond the pure symbolism as the choice of the venue. To my mind, the choice of the venue for this significant meeting of the Indian judiciary, reflects the mainstreaming of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the discourse on development in India," CJI Chandrachud said.

This event has brought together a wealth of learning and experience of the Indian judiciary, he added.

The CJI said in many ways the life of a judge is a life of isolation.

"Part of the reason for that isolation is our own desire to preserve our own independence. I am myself sometimes being accused of being a recluse but I do believe from my own experience that travel is an essential ingredient of opening up of minds. As judges, we all know that we are lauded and honoured. Mercifully, we are not worshipped," he said.

Addressing the meet, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha lauded the efforts of Legal Services Authorities to achieve the Constitutional goal under Article 39 (A) to provide free legal aid to weaker sections of society and also ensuring welfare of people and upholding justice and social equity.

State Legal Services Authorities have also ensured the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity through Lok Adalat, public outreach and mediation, he added.

He also appreciated the efforts to strengthen the Legal Aid movement and generating legal literacy among the people, especially in far flung and rural areas of J&K.

Given the lack of awareness in far flung areas, the people are being made aware about their rights, which have empowered the rural poor, he said.

The Lt Governor termed the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 as a revolutionary step in the judicial system of India, which ensures that no citizen of the country is deprived of justice.

"The spirit of equal justice is rooted in our ancient culture and it is the solemn duty of all of us to strengthen the system which does not discriminate among the citizens and protects them from inequality and injustice," the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor highlighted the efforts to strengthen the judicial infrastructure and also threw light on the progressive administrative and land reforms implemented in the past few years.

"Obsolete land rules were scrapped and land passbooks were issued in three languages to empower farmers and landowners. Transparent and accountable governance has ensured that development benefits all sections and areas victims of unbalanced progress were brought into developmental mainstream," he added.

Brig.(Dr.)B.D.Mishra (Retd.), Lt Governor of Ladakh, commended the National Legal Services Authority for its efforts in ensuring access to Justice to the weak, poor and marginalized.

Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union MoS for Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, said the All India Legal Services Authorities' Meet at Srinagar will prove to be a milestone in the future journey of National Legal Services Authority.

He highlighted the steps taken to overhaul the functioning of Indian Justice Delivery System and further laid emphasis on strengthening the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Justice Tashi Rabstan, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh presented a detailed insight on Legal Aid Movement in India and the working of the Legal Services Authorities across the country.

A manual for District Legal Services Authorities functioning across the country was also released on the occasion.

Judges of Supreme Court of India; Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts from across the country; members of Judiciary, legal experts, senior officials of Police and Civil administration attended the inaugural session.