Shillong, Oct 10: Mr. Justice H. S. Thangkhiew, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya and Executive Chairman, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) inaugurated the two day Regional Consultation of Member Secretaries SLSAs and Secretaries DLSAs of North Eastern States which was held today at North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Umiam, Ri Bhoi District.
The inaugural programme was also attended by Shri Alok Agarwal, Member Secretary, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Shri Sunil Chauhan, Director, NALSA, Shri N. A. Khan, Member Secretary, MSLSA, Ms. Kala Ramachandran, Director, NEPA among others.The programme was organized by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Justice H. S. Thangkhiew said that the consultation programme provide a platform for the members of the Legal Services Authorities of the region to introspect, deliberate, exchange ideas, understand the peculiar problems of the region and therefore urged the participants to focus on strategies to make legal services stronger and effectively.
Stating that legal services authorities play important role to work for the deprived section of society in providing legal assistance, Mr. Justice Thangkhiew said that it is pertinent since in the north eastern region sensitization and knowledge about law are minimal.
The Resource Persons for the programme includes Shri Alok Agarwal, Member Secretary, NALSA, Shri Sunil Chauhan, Director, NALSA and Member Secretaries of North Eastern States.
The points of discussion in the first day of consultation programme are new amendments in Regulations, early access to Justice, Quality of Legal Services, empanelment of competent lawyers, capacity building, monitoring and mentoring Committees.
Socio-Economic and Legal issues which require strategic interventions, documentation of success stories, Legal Services in prisons, Ensuring legal Aid to all unrepresented UTPs, Administration and functioning of Jail clinics and Effective coordination with Prisons Authorities, HCLSCs and SCLSC.
In the second day, the points for discussion are engagement of Law School and Colleges in Legal Services Authority, Activities of Legal Literacy Clubs in Schools, administration and activities of Legal Services Clinics at village and community level.
The Challenges in implementation of NALSA Schemes, Collaboration with NGOs and Government Authorities, Lok Adalats and Mediation including pre-litigation mediation, Budget, Expenditures, Grant and Funds available as on 31.08.2019 and Timely payment of Bills.
