EQUAL
OPPORTUNITIES OF JUSTICE FOR ALL
As
a sequel to the schemes for ensuring equal opportunities of justice
for all including the poorest of the poor and weaker sections
of the society under Article 39-A of the Constitution of India,
introduced by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), permanent
and continuous Lok Adalats in all districts throughout the country
have been set up for conciliatory settlement of disputes. In addition,
Legal Aid Counsel have been appointed in all the courts of Magistrates
all over the country to give timely and free legal assistance
to persons in custody who cannot engage advocates.
The other measures
that have been taken under the Legal Services Authorities Act,
1987 include provision of legal aid and advice to the poor prisoners
in jails.
The other steps being
taken are legal aid and advice to prisoners in jails, legal literacy
and legal awareness camps for dissemination of information making
the people aware of the legal rights and remedies available to
them, counseling and conciliation centres for guiding the public
to settle their disputes amicably in the districts, legal aid
clinics and camps in the remotest areas including tribal areas
for giving guidance to the people on legal matters, accreditation
of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) by the State Legal Services
Authorities for implementation of legal aid programmes at the
grass roots levels and social justice regarding consumer protection,
environmental protection or any other matter of special concern
to weaker sections of the society. Besides, judicial officers
all over the country are being sensitized regarding legal services
and schemes made there under.
Under the Legal Services
Authorities(Amendment) Act, 2002, Permanent and Continuous Lok
Adalats for all Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings
and statutory bodies are being set up to settle in house service
related matters in order to decongest the courts. The Permanent
Lok Adalats being set up will also settle disputes relating to
public utility services.
