Dateline Dehradun: In a first-of-its-kind Tehsil Legal Services Authority working under the guidance of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dehradun organised a legal awareness programme at the Government Primary School, Landour, Mussoorie as per the directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Uttarakhand.
Aimed at legal education and awareness with special focus on Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 along with a general discussion on legal literacy the event was well attended by a medley of people from the community aged sixteen to sixty.
Ld Civil Judge/ Judicial Magistrate, Mussoorie, Shri Shamshad Ali spoke about domestic violence not being limited to physical violence but discussed a broader definition of the term where mental trauma with the intention to cause harassment, agony and provocation of a woman within a household also found place within the parameters of the need to protect women against domestic violence.
He further spoke on Consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act and described how deficiency in service and defect in goods were key parameters to avail the protection under the Act as consumers. The awareness towards availing remedies before the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forums and the importance of ensuring proper bills and invoices are received by consumers at the time of purchase of goods and services were discussed by advocates present at the hour long programme.
The agenda also spread awareness with respect to the invitation of applications from volunteers/social workers/students interested in being Para Legal Volunteers or PLVs. After receiving applications from interested PLVs, the District Legal Services Authority or DLSA would impart legal education and awareness by conducting training and workshops for selected PLVs.
PLVs play a crucial role in spreading awareness amongst the members of society especially the poor and economically weaker sections and bridge the gap between the DLSA and the marginalised sections of society by identifying eligible persons from the public at large. The DLSAs have been formed with the objective to provide free legal aid, advice and services to eligible persons and promote amicable settlements through Lok Adalats. The primary aim behind providing free legal aid to eligible persons is to help poor citizens defend their rights and have access to justice.
Further, the objective behind the exercise was to generate legal awareness through PLVs and promote access to justice amongst those who needed it the most.