G20 podium
Sindhu Jha
NEW DELHI: After ease-of-doing business and ease-of-living, the topmost priority of the Modi Government now seems to be the ease-of-justice for the common man.
In the Indian legal system, it is said that as different parts are important for the body, justice is equally important for the nation. As per Union Law Minister Kiran Rijiju, the ordinary people must believe that if no one listens, the doors of the court are open. This belief in justice makes every countryman realise that the systems of the country are protecting his or her rights. With this thinking, the country also established the National Legal Services Authority so that even the weakest of the weak could get access to justice.
It is claimed that in the last eight years, work has been done at a very fast pace to strengthen the judicial structure of the country. Senior officials of the Government are of the view that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words have been reflected in the fast-paced work done over the last eight years to strengthen the country’s judicial infrastructure.
The judicial infrastructure is being modernised at a cost of about Rs 9,000 crore. The number of courtrooms in the country has also increased. This rapid progress in the construction of judicial infrastructure will also hasten justice delivery.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the first-ever national level meeting of the district legal services authorities, held in New Delhi. On the occasion, he had said, “This is the time of our independence’s ‘Amrit Kaal.’ This is the time to make the resolutions that will propel the country to new heights over the next 25 years.
Ease-of-doing business, ease-of-living, and ease-of-justice are all equally important in the country’s ‘Amrit Yatra’. The Prime Minister had also issued a commemorative postage stamp on the ‘Right to Free Legal Aid’.
There are a total of 676 district legal services authorities in the country. These are headed by a District Judge, who acts as the Chairman. Various legal aid and awareness programmes are implemented by the National Legal Services Authority through the District Legal Services Authority and the State Legal Services Authority. The Lok Adalats organised by the District Legal Services Authority, and State Legal Services Authority also contribute to reducing the burden on the courts.
Recently, the National Legal Services Authority organised the first nationallevel conference of the District Legal Services Authority. At the conference, discussions were held on the implementation of a joint working process for providing effective legal aid to the poor and marginalized sections of society
