Legal Services Day / Commendation Ceremony
- Imphal, 9th November 2023 : Manipur State Legal Services Authority -

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Legal Services Day / Commendation Ceremony

Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) organized the observance of Legal Services Day cum Commendation Ceremony for the year, 2023 on 9th November, 2023 at 3.30 PM at the Conference Hall, ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal.

The programme was graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur & Patron-in-Chief, MASLSA as Chief Guest; Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Bimol Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman, MASLSA; Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, Judge, High Court of Manipur and Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Judge, High Court of Manipur as Guests of Honour respectively.

The programme was attended by Commissioner (Law), Govt. of Manipur; Chairpersons and Secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities; Registrar (Judl.), High Court of Manipur, Judicial Officers, Nominated Members of MASLSA, Panel Advocates, Mediators, Para Legal Volunteers; media persons; officers & staff of Legal Services Authorities and High Court of Manipur.

The event is organized with the objective to promote access to justice and to celebrate achievement of the workforce of the Legal Services Institutions by recognizing the exemplary services of the Panel Lawyers, Para Legal Volunteers, Mediators, Legal Aid Clinics & other Legal Services Functionaries in the state for their services and contribution to the cause of 'Access to Justice'.

While delivering the inaugural speech, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul expressed that Legal Services Institutions is to reach out to those marginalized & disadvantaged sections of the society and the scope of legal services should be expanded to reach to all those who requires legal assistance.

Hon’ble the Chief Justice also recall the steps taken by the Delhi High Court under His Executive Chairmanship of Delhi State Legal Services Authority where by Judicial Order, PLVs were posted in all the 250 Police Stations round the clock so as to assist parents of missing children. Hon’ble the Supreme Court further extended the scope of service to those cases of sexual violence against minors.

Hon’ble the Chief Justice vouch for implementation of the direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court for deployment of PLVs in all the Police Station in Manipur. His Lordship further proposed that in case of Manipur the scope should be further extended to all those persons who are summoned by the police, persons who approached the Police Station for registering of FIR. In all cases, the PLV will be informing the concerned person of their legal rights. Thus, the legal aid can be extended even in cases of pre-arrest stage.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Bimol Singh, Executive Chairman, MASLSA highlighted the achievement of the Legal Functionaries for the year, 2023 by stating that 237 marginalized sections of society availed legal aid counsel in conducting their cases. Further, 15,329 individuals availed legal advices/counselling through different Legal Aid Clinics and Front Offices. Under Alternative Dispute Resolution Centres, 96 different cases were successfully resolved. 691 cases were settled in National Lok Adalat with total settlement amount of Rs. 8.74 crores. The office of MASLSA and DLSAs organized 511 programmes on various legal topics through community participation, TV, Radio, Social Media etc.

The office of MASLSA was able to opened 304 Special Legal Aid & Services Clinics at various Relief Camps where 456 Para Legal volunteers were appointed to man the Special Legal Aid & Services Clinics. So far, through the assistance of Panel Advocates and Para Legal Volunteers, 3864 FIRs have been registered for the victims of recent violence. The PLVs are not only spreading legal awareness and highlighting of various schemes for the victims but are also assisting in reconstruction of lost documents such as educational certificates, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Job Card etc.

Since the notification of Manipur Compensation Scheme for Women Victims, 2023 on 14th September, 2023 by Government of Manipur, the office of MASLSA has awarded compensation to 36 women victims amounting to Rs. 41.45 lakhs.

Handing of memento to B. Bihari, retired staff by the Chief Justice

Shri B. Bihari Sharma (94 years) Retired UDC, was given Lifetime Achievement Award by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur in recognition of exemplary services rendered as a functionary of Manipur State Legal Services Authority for 32 long years.

The following persons were given awards against various categories:
1. Ms. Moirangthem Urmila Devi - State Best Panel Lawyer
2. Mr. Postshangbam Tolen Christian - State Best Mediator
3. Mr. Ch. Nabachandra Singh - State Best PLV
4. Mr. A. Shashikumar - State Best Student PLV
5. Legal Aid Clinic, DC Complex, Porompat - State Best Legal Aid Clinic

The Awardees were presented with Mementos, Certificates & Cash Prize. District level best Panel Lawyers, PLVs & Legal Aid Clinics were also facilitated by handing over certificate & cash award.

(Alek Muivah)
Member Secretary
Manipur State Legal Services Authority