Latest news with #VeerParivarSahayataYojana
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Justice Surya Kant-led NALSA launches free legal aid scheme for soldiers, veterans
In a significant move to deepen institutional outreach and bolster access to justice for the nation's armed forces, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), led by senior Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant, on Saturday launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025 –– a first-of-its-kind nationwide scheme aimed at providing free legal assistance to soldiers, veterans and their families. Justice Surya Kant, J&K Lt Guv Manoj Sinha, J&K CM Omar Abdullah and Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal during the launch of Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana in Srinagar. (HT Photor) Unveiling the scheme in Srinagar, Justice Kant, also the executive chairman of NALSA, said the initiative marks the judiciary's solemn commitment to those who defend the country's borders under the harshest of conditions. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Justice Kant, who is in line to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India in November this year, called the scheme 'a fulfilment of a constitutional duty' and a step toward building 'close proximity between the judiciary and the uniformed forces'. 'This scheme has been launched with the unique object of providing legal aid, advice and assistance to the families of army and paramilitary personnel. Because of the unique nature of their responsibilities and their remote postings, they cannot spare themselves to come and fight litigation,' Justice Kant said. He added that the scheme would not only expedite access to legal redressal for the armed forces but also foster 'a sense of responsibility, attachment and deep respect within the judicial space' for their service. 'When they do so much, what are we doing for them?' asked the judge, adding that the idea behind the initiative took shape after the judiciary's response to the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, followed by Operation Sindoor –– Indian armed forces' coordinated counterterror response to the Pahalgam attack. It led to the Supreme Court's unprecedented public expression of condolences and solidarity with the armed forces. Reflecting on this, Justice Kant said: 'It is not just an emotional response, but a constitutional and institutional understanding –– when they are doing so much for the nation, what are we doing for them?' Citing the Legal Services Authorities Act, he said the judiciary is duty-bound to extend legal assistance to the needy, including soldiers who often face legal disputes, whether involving family, property or neighbourhood conflicts, but are unable to engage in litigation due to their service obligations. The scheme, he said, ensures that 'no additional suffering is imposed on them when they go to court', and that their families, including homemakers, children and elderly parents, are covered under the legal aid framework. Justice Kant emphasised that Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana is a pan-India scheme, extending from 'Kerala to Srinagar, from Nagaland and Mizoram to Rajasthan and Gujarat', he said. Asked about the sustainability of the scheme beyond his tenure as NALSA executive chairman, Justice Kant expressed confidence in institutional continuity. He said his predecessor as the executive chairman and current CJI Bhushan R Gavai had actively encouraged his initiatives and presence in these events. Similarly, other senior judges, including Justices Vikram Nath who will take over as the NALSA executive chairman in November, have remained involved in the legal aid mission. 'This is not a one person's job. It's an institutional commitment and I am happy to say that we all work collectively towards it,' Justice Kant emphasised. During his speech at the event, which also had Union minister of state for law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah in attendance, Justice Kant pointed out that NALSA will establish legal aid clinics at every Zila Sainik Board and Rajya Sainik Board, and expand further if needed. These Boards already serve as nodal centres where serving and retired personnel access welfare services. 'By partnering with them, we aim to bring legal aid directly to their doorsteps,' said the judge adding these clinics will be staffed with trained nodal officers, legal aid counsel and paralegal volunteers. According to the judge, technology will also play a key role, from online filing of applications and video consultations to dispute resolution through e-Lok Adalats and online mediation, and the digital backend is designed to make legal assistance seamless and accessible. In his speech, Justice Kant powerfully invoked Article 39A of the Constitution –– the provision that mandates the State to ensure equal justice and free legal aid to the poor and marginalised. He argued that this constitutional promise cannot be fulfilled if those defending the Constitution are left to fend for themselves in legal matters. 'If we fail to extend this support to our brothers and sisters in the military and paramilitary forces, we fall short of our duty,' he said. 'How can we speak of the strength of our Constitution if those who safeguard it are unable to secure their own rights?' Calling the scheme a 'historic first step' and a tribute to 30 years of NALSA's work, Justice Kant declared: 'Just as our soldiers stand vigilant at the nation's borders, we in the legal fraternity will stand equally vigilant in protecting their rights and welfare at home.'
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NALSA launches scheme to strengthen legal aid to defence personnel, families
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on Saturday launched 'Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana', a scheme to strengthen legal aid for defence personnel and their families, during the North Zone Regional Conference held in Srinagar. The topic of the conference was 'Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel and Tribals'. Presiding over the event, Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant, who is also the Executive Chairman of NALSA, said the scheme 'seeks to build upon the existing framework of legal services clinics by establishing a dedicated network across Sainik Boards at the Zilla, Rajya, and Kendra levels'. 'These Boards already serve as vital nodal centres, where serving and retired personnel access welfare and support services… Henceforth, the very centres long synonymous with support for every veer parivar (family of soldiers) will also stand equipped to guide them through their legal challenges.' Justice Kant said the initiative 'stands as a declaration of our intent to extend every possible support and opportunity in safeguarding the rights of our military and paramilitary personnel and their families. It is our pledge that while our soldiers stand vigilant at the nation's borders, we in the legal fraternity will stand equally vigilant in protecting their rights and their welfare at home.' He said 'a robust back-end mechanism' has been created to support the needs of the armed forces. The move 'goes far beyond merely strengthening access to legal assistance through the Legal Services Authorities. Under this initiative, we are actively involving defence families and ex-servicemen by inviting them to serve as paralegal volunteers.' Justice Kant said that like any other citizen, defence personnel too face many legal challenges which become harder when they are posted in remote areas. 'They too must contend with routine civilian challenges — land disputes, matrimonial issues, questions over service entitlements, or even something as ordinary as an inflated electricity bill… A sipahi stationed in a remote post cannot simply leave his duty to attend to legal concerns, nor can he effectively pursue a matter pending far away. We cannot, for instance, expect a soldier serving in the valleys of Jammu and Kashmir to personally manage a dispute concerning his home in distant Rajasthan,' he said. The scheme, he said, 'marking the 30 years of NALSA's service to the cause of legal aid, will honour the legacy of those who have served and fought for our safety and security'. 'It is our turn to keep those first who have always kept this country first.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
T rolls out legal services clinic
Hyderabad: Joining the nationwide rollout of the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, 2025, Telangana launched a legal services clinic at the Sainik welfare office in Somajiguda, Hyderabad, on Saturday. Justice P Sam Koshy of the Telangana high court and executive chairman of the Telangana state legal services authority, along with special chief secretary (Home) Ravi Gupta and Col P Ramesh Kumar, inaugurated the services aimed at providing free and competent legal services to defence personnel, ex-servicemen, and their families. These clinics will function every 1st and 4th Saturday, with a panel lawyer and para-legal volunteer available from 10am to 5pm. Services offered include free legal advice, awareness, and aid in filing cases where eligible under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Terming the launch as a "momentous occasion" for Telangana, Justice Koshy said that the services of these clinics will be extended throughout the state. Ravi Gupta highlighted the significance of legal support for nearly 50,000 ex-servicemen and their families in the state, addressing issues ranging from property disputes to service-related matters.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Vijay Diwas: Plan rolled out to give free legal help to soldiers, families
SRINAGAR: On Kargil Vijay Diwas, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, an initiative aimed at providing free legal aid to defence personnel, veterans, and their families. The scheme was officially launched on Saturday at Shri Kashmir Convocation Centre on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar. Supreme Court judge and NALSA executive chairman Justice Surya Kant, who presided over the conference, stressed on the importance of ex-servicemen serving as nyay mitras (legal volunteers) and supporting fellow soldiers and their families. The scheme will operate through legal clinics. Ex-servicemen will address the legal challenges faced by defence families across the country. The conference was attended by Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah. Sinha said the impact of 'legislative reforms' initiated after the abrogation of Article 370 has transformed the region. 'Before 2019, various central laws including two important central legislations — Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 — were not applicable to J&K,' he said, adding these are now applicable and tribal community has been empowered. The CM praised the contributions and sacrifices of defence personnel, many of whom hail from J&K, he said. Omar, who also holds law portfolio, stressed the urgent need for compassionate and timely legal redress to those serving in remote and challenging terrains.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Serve country at borders, we'll take care of your family': Govt launches legal aid for soldiers
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) unveiled a scheme on Saturday to provide free legal aid services for soldiers and their families under the 'Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana'. Under the scheme, legal service clinics will be set up in Sainik Welfare Boards across all states.(PTI) The scheme, which has been unveiled on the Kargil Vijay Diwas, was inaugurated at a conference in Srinagar by Justice Surya Kant, Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Under the NALSA scheme, legal service clinics will be set up in Sainik Welfare Boards across all states, PTI quoted Kuldeep Sharma, Secretary and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of District Legal Services Authority, as saying. The free legal aid at these clinics will be provided to both retired and serving soldiers and their family members. The clinics will also have panel lawyers and para-legal volunteers of the legal services authority. This is the first time in the country's history that free legal assistance has been specifically provided to the families of soldiers. The decision has been taken in order to relieve soldiers from domestic legal burdens while they serve the country in harsh conditions, NDTV reported. The message for the scheme is: You serve the country at the borders, we will take care of your family at home. Soldiers posted at distant and inaccessible locations face difficulties following through on their legal cases involving domestic or property disputes, or land matters. Therefore, the NALSA will intervene in such matters to ensure that the soldiers receive proper representation in courts across the country. The launch was attended by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and J&K Governor Manoj Sinha. Following Operation Sindoor, Justice Surya Kant was moved by the sacrifices made by the armed forces, NDTV quoted sources as saying. He began looking into ways the judiciary could facilitate their well-being, thus leading to the decision. The NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana will be launched by Justice Surya Kant before he takes over as the next Chief Justice of India on November 24.
