CJI Surya Kant says justice must reach people through timely benefits and legal aid
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Deoghar, November 2: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant on Monday said access to justice must…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Deoghar, November 2: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant on Monday said access to justice must go beyond the courtroom and ensure that people receive the benefits, assistance and relief they are entitled to.
Addressing a state-level legal services-cum-empowerment camp at the Civil Court premises in Deoghar, Justice Surya Kant said the effectiveness of legal services institutions should be measured by whether they reach people in need and respond to their concerns.
The camp was organised by the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Deoghar, and the district administration.
Justice Surya Kant said justice could mean ensuring that an elderly woman receives her pension, a worker gets his wages, a child continues education, or a victim’s family receives timely assistance. He stressed that legal services institutions must work proactively, listen sensitively and help people overcome barriers to accessing their entitlements.
He also highlighted initiatives such as the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana for soldiers and their families, the “Mediation for the Nation” campaign and legal awareness programmes in tribal and remote areas. He said para-legal volunteers and legal aid clinics have an important role in connecting people with assistance.
The CJI also referred to Project Shishu, which focuses on the protection, education and welfare of children, and said pending applications should be reviewed regularly. Officials, he said, must remain accountable and keep beneficiaries informed about the progress of their cases.
Justice Surya Kant said a camp would be successful if people in need left with the confidence that their concerns had been heard and that the institutions concerned were working to help them.
Judges highlight legal aid and welfare initiatives
Justice Chandrashekhar of the Supreme Court praised the “Mediation for the Nation” campaign, the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana and other welfare initiatives led by the CJI. He said thousands of people had received legal assistance and relief through such efforts.
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh of the Supreme Court appreciated Project Shishu, which supports orphaned and vulnerable children. He emphasised the need to protect children’s futures by ensuring their education, safety and care, and thanked the CJI for visiting Jharkhand.
Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad of the Jharkhand High Court and executive chairman of JHALSA said legal awareness must be linked with practical assistance and access to government schemes. He said no eligible person should be deprived of benefits because of a lack of information, documents or guidance.
Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad added that the success of such camps should also be assessed by whether beneficiaries receive assistance, pending applications are acted upon and departments conduct regular reviews. He thanked the CJI for attending the programme.
Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay of the Jharkhand High Court delivered the vote of thanks.
1,880 beneficiaries receive assistance
During the camp, 1,880 beneficiaries received assistance worth a total of ₹1,446.90 lakh under various government schemes. Cheques were distributed for financial assistance and compensation.
The CJI also virtually inaugurated legal aid clinics at Bhishma Narayan Singh Law College in Palamu and Sarala Birla University in Ranchi.
