Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will inaugurate the national conference on “Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms” at the Supreme Court on Saturday, news agency IANS reported, quoting government officials on Thursday.
An official release further stated that PM Modi will launch the Community Mediation Training Module prepared by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
As per the PM`s Office, he will also address the gathering on the occasion.
The two-day conference, organised by NALSA, will deliberate on key aspects of the legal services framework. As per the official release, it will also include the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System, panel lawyers, paralegal volunteers, permanent Lok Adalats, and the financial management of legal services institutions, IANS reported.
Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, NALSA aims to provide free legal aid and ensure access to justice for the marginalised and underprivileged sections of society.
While asserting more about the programme, the statement also enlightens about Article 39A of the Indian Constitution, which is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy and deals with the promotion of justice and free legal aid.
Article 39A provides that “the State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.”
Presently the apex court judge Justice Surya Kant functions as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority while the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA.
The State Legal Services Authority has been established in each state to carry out Lok Adalats, provide free legal services support to the public, and implement the policies and directives of the NALSA.
The Chief Justice of the relevant High Court serves as the State Legal Services Authority`s Patron-in-Chief. The State Legal Services Authority`s Executive Chairman is chosen from among the High Court`s senior judges.
(With inputs from IANS)