Shopian : Acting Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Sanjeev Kumar and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, in presence of M.K. Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh Saturday presided over an awareness programme on NALSA’s SAMVAD (Strengthening Access to Justice for Marginalized, Vulnerable Adivasis and De notified/ Nomadic Tribes) Scheme at Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College, Shopian.
The programme was organized by the District Legal Services Authority, Shopian under the aegis of J&K Legal Services Authority.
On arrival, the Acting Chief Justice and other dignitaries inspected various stalls presented by the different government departments of district Shopian.
In his presidential address, the Acting Chief Justice commended the efforts of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Shopian and the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority (J&K LSA) for their initiatives aimed at enhancing legal awareness among tribal communities. He underscored the significance of the constitutional and legal rights of these communities and the pivotal role of Legal Services Authorities in facilitating access to justice at the grassroots level. The Chief Justice specifically mentioned the NALSA’s SAMVAD Scheme, 2025, which is designed to connect tribal populations with legal aid services. Mehmood Ahmad Chowdhary, the Principal District & Sessions Judge and Chairman of DLSA Shopian, emphasized the necessity of legal awareness and community outreach for tribal populations during his welcome address. The event, attended by over two thousand tribal individuals from various regions of Shopian, featured the release of the publication “Sabeel” by the DLSA and a vibrant cultural program showcasing the rich heritage of the tribal community. Additionally, the program included the distribution of felicitation certificates to achievers within the tribal community and the immediate awarding of benefits from various government schemes by the Acting Chief Justice and other dignitaries. Contributions from members of the Bar, tribal representatives, and departmental officers highlighted the importance of implementing tribal welfare schemes. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board in Shopian. Following the program, the Acting Chief Justice and the Registrar General inspected the newly constructed District Court Complex and engaged in discussions with Judicial Officers and Bar Association members regarding legal aid and access to justice issues. Various officials from the High Court of J&K and Ladakh were also present during these interactions.
