Mysuru
The Para-Legal Volunteer (PLV) scheme is being actively implemented in the district to create legal awareness among the general public and ensure free legal assistance reaches even the last person in society. Volunteers should make the best use of the training, said first additional district and sessions judge Sandhya Rao P.
Speaking after inaugurating a two-day refresher training programme for selected Para-Legal Volunteers of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and Taluk Legal Services Committees at the Abdul Nazir Sab Hall, Zilla Panchayat, on Monday. The programme was jointly organised by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, District Legal Services Authority, Judiciary, Advocates’ Association, Department of Prosecution and Government Litigation, Police Department, Department of Women and Child Development, Mysuru, and Out Law India Foundation, Bengaluru.
The Para-Legal Volunteer scheme was introduced by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in 2009. The volunteers were created to bridge the gap between the common people and legal services institutions and to take justice to people’s doorsteps. They are not lawyers, but serve as intermediaries who possess basic legal knowledge and work for the welfare of society, she said.
The role of Para-Legal Volunteers is to connect people who are unable to approach courts with Lok Adalats, mediation centres and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
The service, which began under the NALSA 2009 scheme, acts as an important bridge between legal services institutions and the public. Volunteers will create awareness among poor people, women, children, labourers and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes about their constitutional rights and various government welfare schemes.
They will assist eligible beneficiaries in applying for free legal aid and inform them about the benefits of Lok Adalats and mediation centres. Volunteers should identify cases involving domestic violence, child marriage, child labour and dowry harassment and provide information to the District Legal Services Authority. They should also assist victims in accessing shelter, pensions, Aadhaar and employment guarantee schemes, she added.
Fast Track Special Court and District and Sessions Judge Anand P. Hogade, Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority Nagaraj Siddappa Ankasadoddi, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer S. Yukesh Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police Mallik C., Advocates’ Association President S. Lokesh, Legal Officer of the Prosecution Department B.E. Yogeshwar, District Child Protection Officer Asha, Out Law Foundation trainer Shama D. and others were present.
