Our Correspondent
Phek | June 16
A one day mega legal services camp held here today under the auspices of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) in collaboration with government departments, stakeholders and NGOs evoked thunderous response.
The camp registered an overwhelming 2, 227 visitors and availed on-spot services from 32 government departments and NGOs stalls.
“This camp is beneficial for public as many of us are unaware of many welfare schemes being extended by the government,” said Kulayi, who visited the camp to get his Aadhaar card done in this camp.
The camp witnessed long queue at the labour department booth for registration of workers in unrecognized sector under Nagaland Building and other Construction Workers scheme.
Agri and allied departments extended free distribution of seedlings and pamphlets.
32 departments responded to the call of this camp. Various departments displayed their activities and propagated their respective department policies and programmes.
Earlier, NSLSA member secretary Mezivolu T. Therieh in her address said the Legal Services Authority Act 1987 has created legal services authorities primarily to provide legal services to weaker and marginalized sections of the society.
One of the functions as per Section 4 (e) of the National Legal Service Authority is to organize legal services camps especially in rural areas with the dual purpose of educating the weaker society as to their rights as well as encouraging them to settle their case through Lok Adalat.
Legal services camp aims at spreading awareness of the welfare legislations and schemes, identifying and connecting people to welfare schemes to ensure benefits to the eligible people to give appropriate legal service and take necessary steps.
She said the camp is a service delivery model to draw out the effect of paradigm shift from legal awareness to legal empowerment for the marginalized and weaker sections of the society.
“It is indeed a win-win situation for the legal services Authorities and government agencies, where we will be able to achieve our targets as facilitators and that the government will be able to strengthen the implementation of their projects and schemes,” she said adding we converge to facilitate various government welfare schemes, benefits and entitlements for the unreached citizenries and communities.
She also urged those in authority be it the government officials or other NGO leaders and public leaders in assisting the people to get their rightful share due to them.
She said that at a time when the legal services authority is focusing on a paradigm shift from awareness to empowerment, the Government of Nagaland has promptly responded to cooperate and coordinate in our flagship programme of conducting Legal Services Camps in all the districts at various intervals.
“Everything starts with knowing your rights and entitlement otherwise you will not get what you deserve,” she said adding that the Phek District Legal Service Authority is there to provide all assistance even after this camp.
There are many instances where people are able to receive their rights and entitlements with our intervention and guidance, she maintained.
Phek ADC Mhathung Tsanglao was appreciative of the NSLSA for organizing such camp at Phek.
He also lauded PDLSA for actively working in the rural areas and creating awareness on the rights and entitlement of the people.
He urged the people to exercise their fundamental duties by upholding the required ethics to be a good citizen. He also asked them to maintain social harmony, conserve wildlife and environment and also take care of government properties.
The inaugural function was chaired by Longshithung Ezung, District & Session Judge & chairman Phek DLSA while vote of thanks was proposed by Limasenla Longkumer, advocate, project coordinator, legal services camp NSLSA.
