KT News Desk
GANDERBAL, OCTOBER 01: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ganderbal, observed the International Day of Older Persons Thursday, by organising a series of legal awareness and outreach programmes aimed at sensitising senior citizens about their legal rights, welfare entitlements, dignity, safety and access to free legal services.
The series of programmes were organised under the chairmanship of Abdul Nasir, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Ganderbal, and under the guidance of Sheikh Babar Hussain, Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal, in pursuance of the directions of the J&K Legal Services Authority and in accordance with the calendar of activities issued for the observance of the programme.
As part of the observance, DLSA Ganderbal organised a legal awareness programme in collaboration with Ahata Waqar (Old Age Home, Wayil), Hope Society, Ganderbal.
Advocate Bilal Ahmed Bhat, Panel Lawyer, DLSA Ganderbal, acted as the Resource Person and sensitised the senior citizens about their legal rights and entitlements, particularly under the NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016 and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. He also apprised the participants about the availability of free legal aid and the assistance that can be availed through the Legal Services Authorities, including NALSA Helpline No. 15100.
The programme further highlighted the importance of safeguarding the dignity, safety and welfare of senior citizens and ensuring their meaningful access to justice for all especially Senior Citizens.
Another awareness programme was organised in collaboration with the District Social Welfare Officer, Ganderbal, at the Auditorium Hall of Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Ganderbal. Advocate Irfan Rashid, Panel Lawyer, DLSA Ganderbal, acted as the Resource Person and sensitised the participants regarding their rights, welfare measures and legal protections available to them. He also highlighted the role of Legal Services Institutions and concerned stakeholders in ensuring that senior citizens are able to access available legal and welfare services.
In another series of programme, a door-to-door legal awareness activities were also undertaken by the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of DLSA Ganderbal/TLSC Ganderbal in their respective areas and Legal Aid Clinics. The PLVs reached out to senior citizens and their family members and created awareness regarding the NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, availability of free legal services and NALSA Helpline No. 15100 as well as other welfare schemes of the Government for old age persons including old age pension, Golden Card, etc.
Meanwhile, DLSA Ganderbal, in collaboration with Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC), Kangan, organised an awareness programme at the Tehsil Social Welfare Office, Kangan, to mark the International Day of Older Persons. Adv. Sajad Ahmad Khan, Resource Person, sensitised the participants about the legal rights, welfare measures and protections available to senior citizens, particularly under the NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016 and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. He also apprised the participants about the availability of free legal aid and the role of Legal Services Authorities in facilitating access to justice.
The series of programmes highlighted the commitment of DLSA Ganderbal and TLSC Kangan towards strengthening legal awareness among senior citizens and ensuring that elderly persons are able to avail themselves of their rights and entitlements with dignity, security and ease of access to justice.
The observance reaffirmed the commitment of DLSA Ganderbal to taking legal services to the doorstep and promoting effective implementation of the NALSA Scheme, 2016.
