Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 303/15

CHIEF JUSTICE FLAGGED OFF MOBILE LOK ADALAT VAN OF THE MSLSA

Shillong, May 19, 2015: Moving one step further to achieve the motto of Access to Justice, the Mobile Lok Adalat Van of the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) was flagged off today by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uma Nath Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya & Patron-in-Chief, MSLSA from the premises of the High Court of Meghalaya, Shillong. The flagging off ceremony was also graced by the presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice T N K Singh, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Executive Chairman, MSLSA, Advocate General, Mr. K S Kynjing, Additional Advocate General & Member, MSLSA, Mr. W H D Syngkon, Advocates, Judicial Officers and Lawyers.

The main objective of launching the Mobile Lok Adalat Van is to empower the weaker sections of society to enable them to have knowledge about their legal rights and to provide them with free legal aids. The van will ensure that all people gain access to the legal services authority.

Terming MSLSA as one of the best legal services authority in India, the Meghalaya Chief Justice said that launching of the multi utility van is one of the achievements of the MSLSA and that the van is rated as one of the best initiative taken up in the country. He further said that the North East Region suffers from inherent contradiction and as such it is imperative for the legal services authority to address such contradictions. He appealed to all the members of the bar association to come up for the cause and participate in the movement of providing free legal aid and legal awareness to the people of the State.

Stating that large section of society are unaware of their rights and legal services, Mr. Justice TNK Singh, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya, said that it is necessary for the MSLSA to reach out to the people of the State, especially the marginalized and weaker sections in remote areas. Mentioning about the purpose of the Mobile Lok Adalat Van, Mr. Singh said that the Van is meant for providing people with free legal aids, free service of capable lawyers and conducting Lok Adalats. He said that this Van has all the necessary requirement like separate compartments for presiding officers, separate room for lawyers fitted with generators and loud speakers and hoped that the purpose of launching this van will be achieved and benefit the people.

Earlier, Mr. Noor Ain Khan, Member Secretary, MSLSA delivered the welcome speech while Mr. W H D Syngkon, Additional Advocate General & Member, MSLSA proposed the vote of thanks.

After the inauguration programme, the Mobile Lok Adalat Van proceeded to some parts of Shillong for publicity campaign and distribution of pamphlets.