SRINAGAR, JUNE 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said the abrogation of Article 370 has ensured social equity and inclusive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“In J&K, for almost seven decades, Article 370 prevented central legislations from benefiting a large section of society. It also denied the benefits of legitimate citizenship to a sizeable section of society. Abrogation of Article 370 ensured social equity and inclusive development,” Sinha said addressing the 19th All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet.
He said the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A brought historic reforms and a new era in J&K. “Today, the UT is offering limitless possibilities to the people, especially to those from the weaker section of the society, who were deprived of the benefits of the laws enacted by the Parliament,” he added.
Sinha said within four years J&K is synonymous with peace, progress, and prosperity and the world has seen the capability, and socio-economic growth during the last month’s G20 meeting. “Projects are being implemented with unprecedented speed and we have taken infrastructure development to a new height,” the Lt Governor observed.
Sinha highlighted the efforts to strengthen the judicial infrastructure and also threw light on the progressive administrative and land reforms implemented in the past few years.
“Obsolete land rules were scrapped and land passbooks were issued in three languages to empower farmers and landowners. Transparent and accountable governance has ensured that development benefits all sections and areas victims of unbalanced progress were brought into developmental mainstream,” he added.
Sinha lauded the efforts of Legal Services Authorities to achieve the Constitutional goal under Article 39 (A) to provide free legal aid to weaker sections of society and also ensure the welfare of people and uphold justice and social equity.
Chief Justice of India Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, delivered the inaugural address at the 19th All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet.
He congratulated the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and J&K Legal Services Authority for organizing the meet and bringing together the wealth of learning and experience of the Indian Judiciary.
“This significant meet in the perspective of the Indian Judiciary is the reflection of mainstreaming of J&K and Ladakh in the discourse of development in India,” the CJI said.
Our Constitution seeks to create a social order based on the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Social Justice. The Indian Constitution recognized the fundamental rights of every individual regardless of their social and economic status, he observed.
The CJI expressed gratitude to NALSA, all the office bearers, members of Legal Services Authorities, lawyers, and para-legal volunteers for striving to make the constitutional goal of social justice a reality.
Brig.(Dr.)B.D.Mishra (Retd.), Lt Governor of Ladakh, commended the National Legal Services Authority for its efforts in ensuring access to Justice for the weak, poor, and marginalized.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union MoS for Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, said the All India Legal Services Authorities’ Meet at Srinagar will prove to be a milestone in the future journey of the National Legal Services Authority.
He highlighted the steps taken to overhaul the functioning of the Indian Justice Delivery System and further laid emphasis on strengthening the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System.
A manual for District Legal Services Authorities functioning across the country was also released on the occasion.
