Shillong, March 28: A four day Training Programme for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of East Khasi Hills District from 28th to 31st March, 2017 organized by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) was inaugurated today at Shillong Law College, Shillong by the Hon’ble Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya, Mr. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, who is also the Patron-in-Chief, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority.
The inaugural programme was also attended by Hon’ble Justice, Mr. Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Executive Chairman, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ved Prakash Vaish, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Judge-in-Charge, High Court Mediation Committee, Mr. W. Khyllep, Secretary, Law Department, Mr. W. Diengdoh, Member Secretary, MSLSA, Principal, Lecturers and students of Shillong Law College among others.
In his inaugural address, the Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya, Mr. Justice Dinesh Maheshwari lauded the MSLSA for conducting the training to impart basic knowledge about legal subjects to Para Legal Volunteers.
He also stressed on the importance to sensitize the people, especially at the grassroots level not only their rights and duties but also their responsibilities as the citizens of the country. Para-Legal Volunteers being the first point of contact to facilitate for people seeking legal aid plays an important role in educating the people about their various rights, said the Chief Justice adding that they also act as intermediaries between the common people and legal services institutions for removing barriers of access to justice.
The Chief Justice also urged the Judges, Lawyers and Government Officials to take part in the training and share their experiences to further enlighten and equip the Para Legal Volunteers to deal with various types of legal advices.
Others who spoke on the occasion includes Hon’ble Justice, Mr. Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Executive Chairman, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ved Prakash Vaish, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Hon’ble Judge-in-Charge, High Court Mediation Committee. Mr.W. Diengdoh, Member Secretary, MSLSA delivered the welcome address and Mr. E. Kharumnuid, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, East Khasi Hills District.
It may be mentioned that during the four day training, the topics that will be taken up, includes Family Laws, Legal Services to disaster victims through Legal Services Authorities, Property Laws, Criminal Laws, Labour Laws, Legal Services to the Workers in the Un-organized Sector-NALSA Scheme 2010, Gender Centric Law/ Women Laws- Equal Remuneration Act 1976, Maternity Benefit Act 1961, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, Sexual Harassment at Workplace, NALSA Scheme 2015, Juvenile Justice Act 2000, Child Labour Act 1986, Missing children, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, Factories Act 1948, PWDV Act 2005 and PNDT Act 1994, SC&ST Act, 1989 and Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme, Government orders and schemes promoting social welfare, including MNREGA, Social Security Schemes, National Population Register, Voter ID Card and Passports.
The Resource Persons for the training includes Mr. W. Diengdoh, Member Secretary, MSLSA, Smti D. Jyrwa, Mr. C. Ksoo, Dr. M. Kharshiing and Smti W. Dkhar lecturers, Shillong Law College, Smti M. Kharkongor, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Protection of Child Rights, Mr. Anthony Syiemiong, PLV, Smti Poonam Yadav, Advocate and representatives from State Women’s Commission and Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya.
