Manipur joined the rest of the country in observing the National Legal Service Day as the same was organised by Manipur State Legal Service Authority (MASLSA) at the auditorium of the High Court of Manipur where a commendation ceremony was also held.
Speaking at the gathering, chief justice of the High Court of Manipur, justice PV Sanjay Kumar said that the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was enacted on October 11, 1987, and the act came into effect on November 9, 1995. The National Legal Services Day was commenced by the Supreme Court of India in 1995 to assist and provide help and support to the weaker sections of the society and commemorate the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act, he said.
The chief justice explained that the Legal Services Day was established with a mandate to offer support and help to weaker and poor groups which include women, disabled persons.
He said that the legal service austerity act is an act of the Parliament of India to enforce the provisions of Article 39 A of the Constitution. The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 guarantees the fundamental rights to all the citizens of the country, he mentioned. Article 39 A of the Constitution is related to the promotion of justice on the basis of equal opportunity by providing free legal aid to the un-affordable sections of the society like the poor and economically weaker sections, he added.
The chief justice said that the legal service day was celebrated to spread awareness on ensuring fair and timely justice to all. Most of the people are not even aware and ignored about legal services for securing their rightful dues, he added.
He further said that he has heard criticism such as the court being conscious of their inability to handle a tremendous number of pending cases, tries to wash their hands off their responsibility by driving litigation to compromise and settle their dispute by the way of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
“However, the reality is that in most of the cases litigations came from the ignorance of one party of the rights of the other one. So the Legal Services Authority is to educate and sensitize them,” he added.
During the celebration, a short documentary of legal services activities was showcased.
The programme was attended by justice Lanusungkum Jamir, justice Kh Nobin, justice MV Muralidaran and advocates, para legal volunteers.
