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Sanchobeni P Lotha, panel lawyer of Wokha DLSA (3rd from right) after being awarded the best panel lawyer 2019 along with judges and official representatives from Nagaland on November 9 in New Delhi.[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 10 (EMN): Panel lawyer, Shanchobeni P Lotha from Nagaland state legal services authorities (NSLSA) was conferred the 'Best zonal panel lawyer' during the national legal services authority day-cum-commendation ceremony of best PLVs, PLs, SLSAs and DLSAs held at Additional Building Complex, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, on November 9.
Union minister of Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad was the chief guest in the presence of the Justice SA Bobde, Chief Judge of India designate and NALSA executive chairman, and other dignitaries.
Panel lawyer, Shanchobeni P Lotha, who was conferred the best panel lawyer, was empanelled under Wokha district legal services authority on November 24, 2017. She was earlier conferred the best panel lawyer in the state.
The criteria for selection of best panel lawyer were judged keeping in mind the parameters set out for the selection vis-à-vis other pursuits taken up; ability to perform in range of activities, handling of legal aid cases, court performances and advocacy skills, participation in capacity building programs, impact of work executed, assistance in outreach activities of organisational goals and others.
She had actively rendered her services during Lok Adalats and spearheaded in organising various legal awareness programmes in the districts apart from taking up many legal aid cases to people at the grassroots and identifying people in need of legal assistance, a press release from the state legal services authority said.
Sanchobeni P Lotha commented that while "helping others as a passion," she aspire to work for women and child rights and continue to pursue her calling and profession of far-reaching legal awareness with commitment and to the best of her ability. She stated that the platform given to her by the district legal authority has been one without discrimination as opposed to the societal upbringing where as a family with six girls, her family always pressured to give lesser education to women.
The commendation ceremony for Nagaland state was represented by judge of Gauhati High Court and executive chairman Justice N Kotiswar Singh; member secretary N Longshithung Ezung, NJS; Nino Iralu, NJS, secretary (judicial), department of Justice and Jaw, Government of Nagaland and former chairperson of Wokha DLSA; Khrievono Seletsu; civil judge (Jr. Dvn)/ JMFC and secretary of Wokha DLSA; and B Yemlong Chaba, PLV.
Nagaland state also joined the national legal service authority day by conducting various programmes and activities.
Justice Manish Choudhury, Judge of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, highlighted that, "Legal services authorities were constituted to bring out a structured programme to render pro bono services and achieve the goals of Article 39 (A) under the Constitution of India." He was speaking at the Bar Room of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, during a legal awareness programme organised by High Court Legal Services Committee, Kohima Bench.
Speaking on the core aims and objectives of the national legal services day, he observed that pro bono services to various needy persons was unstructured prior to the passing of legal services authorities act 1987 by the parliament. To bring out a structured programme and particularly to provide legal assistance to the weaker sections of the society, needy and downtrodden and those people who suffer from various disabilities, legal services authorities were therefore constituted in November 1995, he added.
With the various provisions of the act, he stated that various levels of authorities at the national, state, district and taluk-levels have been constituted. The judge also stated that the existence and functioning of legal services authorities is important in achieving the goal of the Constitutions Article 39 (A) under the Directive Principles of State to provide legal aid to the needy. He also noted that another primary cause is to organise Lok Adalats from time to time for speedy resolution of cases especially in litigation cases.
The judge also expressed his satisfaction over the services rendered by the legal services authorities and called upon the members to spread awareness of the provisions of the act or legal aids.
Advocate Kezhokhoto Savi, NVCO president and professor of Kohima Law College, spoke on the topic, Consumer awareness campaign relating to food safety and security.
Speaking on the outline of the right to safety- both goods and services and right to information and giving reference to the state, he opined that the state particularly the nodal departments have, till date, remained lenient and complacent towards implementing the food safety act. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, defaulters carrying out business without license or for misleading advertisements, falsely describing quality of food etc is punishable with imprisonment and fine upto INR 10 lakhs, he informed.
Presiding over the programme, Neiko Akami, NJS and Registrar of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, called to retrospect the legal services authorities and informed that the state has a total strength of 56 legal clinics, 104 panel lawyers, 110 legal literacy clubs. He added that more than 350 cases were disposed through Lok Adalat this year.
He also apprised on set-up and hierarchical structure of the state legal service authority. Additionally, he informed that the High Court Legal Services Committee, Kohima which has been recently set-up, would also empanel 10 lawyers.
Commemorating the National Legal Services Authority Day, the district legal services authority panel lawyers and para-legal volunteers carried out cleanliness drive at Naga Hospital Authority in Kohima; Moinang Park in Longleng, Kiphire town, Clock Tower area in Dimapur, Peren town square, Zunheboto District Hospital, Mokokchung town, Phek district, and Tuensang Civil Hospital. Legal awareness programmes were also organised on the occasion.
