Attendees at the legal awareness programme organised by the NSLSA at Longleng on October 30.
NSLSA awareness campaign reaches Longleng
Kohima, November 1 (MExN): Judge Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench and Executive Chairperson, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) Justice Songkhupchung Serto said that 70% of the problems of tribal communities or villagers would be solved if they are empowered about their rights and entitlements especially in the three sectors of education, food, and health schemes.
He was addressing a gathering of villagers in Longleng on October 30 where a legal awareness programme was organized for more than 20 villages as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav- Pan India Awareness and Legal Services Week.
According to a press release from the NSLSA Public Relations Assistant on Monday, the NSLSA has taken up four schemes- Right to Education Act, 2019, National Food Security Act, 2013, and schemes under health and social welfare on priority for rendering statewide awareness for two years starting from 2020 under the initiative of the Executive Chairperson. “If people learnt and received awareness about these priority topics, 70% of the problems would be solved,” it quoted Judge Serto as saying.
Speaking on right to education, the judge stated that the government has given the people rights under Article 21 (A) of the Constitution of India which was not just the right to life but the right to live with dignity. “So to have life with dignity, one must be educated,” he commented, adding that the government, on those lines, amended Article 21 and added Article 21 (A).
“When our children are assured free education till Class 8, the government is taking care of our children for many years and the money one would have spent for up to class 8, can later be used to send our children to good colleges. We need to send our children to government schools without paying fees, free school uniforms,” the release stated, quoting Serto.
On empowerment, he said that in addition to the legal services authority office in the district court, which has been set up to cater and assist the villagers, there are 9 legal services clinics (LSCs) spread across villages to help locals. Each LSC is expected to reach at least 10 families in each village so that the rest of villagers will come and ask the 10 families about the benefits they have availed.
Describing education as ‘light,’ he called on the gathering not to neglect educating children. “Ensure the progress of our community and state and one will earn respect,” he said. The judge also cited the example of children in villages, who are often deprived of formal education because their teachers from Dimapur and Kohima do not attend the schools, and questioned “how these Christian teachers drew salary without service.” In this regard, he appealed the teachers to be responsible for their communities; to be in the villages, and educate the children of their people.
Principal Secretary for Law and Justice Department R Ramakrishnan while noting that people in rural areas are not aware of their rights said, “We have to utilize the different system prevalent, be it customary law or the judicial system to benefit everyone equally,” the release stated.
Among a host of legal awareness topics taken up, panel lawyer Panglang Y Phom spoke on Right to Education Act, 2019; panel lawyer Chingmei Phom on National Food Security Act, 2013; panel lawyer P Monyei Phom on Pension Schemes under the Social Welfare Department and Lok Adalat and panel lawyer A Mane Phom on Right to Information act, 2005.
Earlier, Eastern Blind Care Home sung the theme song of the Nagaland State Legal Services Week and a song in Manipuri, Longleng JMFC and DLSA Secretary Holika Sukhalu conveyed the vote of thanks and the programme was chaired by A Mane Phom, Retainer Lawyer, the release stated.
