BUDGAM, NOVEMBER 09: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Budgam, in collaboration with all the Tehsil Legal Services Committees (TLSCs) of the district, organised a series of comprehensive legal awareness and outreach programmes across District Budgam during Legal Services Week 2026.
The week-long campaign, as per an official statement, was aimed at spreading awareness about the availability of free and competent legal aid, fundamental and statutory legal rights, access to justice and various welfare-oriented schemes launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
As part of the week-long observance, an extensive door-to-door awareness drive was also conducted through Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) deputed at various Legal Aid Clinics, Legal Literacy Clubs and other institutions across the district. The PLVs reached out to people at the grassroots level, particularly in rural and far-flung areas and sensitised them about their legal rights, the availability of free legal assistance and the role of Legal Services Institutions in ensuring that justice remains accessible to all irrespective of their social or economic background.
The week-long observance culminated in the celebration of Legal Services Day Monday, at the District Headquarter as well as at the headquarters of all Tehsil Legal Services Committees across District Budgam.
The occasion marked the successful conclusion of a series of awareness and outreach initiatives undertaken throughout the district to promote the objectives of the Legal Services Authorities Act and strengthen the delivery of legal aid services at the grassroots level.
On the occasion the programme held at ADR Centre DLSA BUdgam, resource persons including Advocate Mohammad Iqbal Wani, Aamir Hamid, Mehreen Zaffar and Advocate Feroz Ahmad Khan, addressed the gatherings and highlighted the significance of Legal Services Day, the objectives of the legal services movement and the vital role played by Legal Services Authorities in ensuring equal access to justice.
They further elaborated on the various provisions relating to free legal aid, the functioning of Legal Services Institutions and the different schemes and initiatives introduced by NALSA for the benefit of marginalised and weaker sections of society.
The resource persons emphasised that access to justice is a fundamental component of a just and equitable society and that lack of awareness, financial constraints or social barriers should never prevent any individual from seeking legal remedies. They also stressed the need to further strengthen legal awareness at the grassroots level and encouraged members of the public to approach DLSA Budgam and the concerned TLSCs for availing themselves of free legal services and assistance in appropriate cases.
Throughout the week, DLSA Budgam, in close coordination with the Tehsil Legal Services Committees at Magam, Chadoora, Charar-i-Sharief and Beerwah organised a range of awareness programmes, interactive sessions and outreach activities at different locations across the district. Special Legal Aid Desks were also established in the premises of all Subordinate Courts to facilitate the dissemination of information regarding legal aid services, guide litigants and members of the public and provide necessary assistance to eligible persons seeking legal support.
The awareness programmes primarily focused on the availability and benefits of free legal aid, various NALSA schemes, legal rights and entitlements of citizens, access to justice, the functioning of Legal Aid Clinics and the importance of Legal Literacy Clubs in promoting legal awareness among students and the general public. Special emphasis was laid on reaching out to rural and remote areas through door-to-door campaigns, public interactions and awareness sessions so that the benefits of legal services could reach the most deserving sections of society.
The initiatives also highlighted the important role of Panel Lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers in bridging the gap between legal institutions and the general public. Through their continued efforts, the participants were sensitised about the procedure for seeking free legal aid, the importance of timely legal assistance and the various avenues available for resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
The concluding programmes witnessed active participation from Panel Lawyers, DLSA staff members, Para Legal Volunteers, representatives of various institutions and members of the general public.
The participants appreciated the efforts made by DLSA Budgam and the concerned TLSCs in taking legal awareness initiatives to the doorsteps of the people and promoting a culture of legal awareness and accessibility.
All the activities organised across the district, were conducted under the guidance of Om Parkash Bhagat, Chairman, DLSA Budgam, and Tabasum Qadir Parray, Secretary, DLSA Budgam.
The observance of Legal Services Week 2026 and the celebration of Legal Services Day reaffirmed the commitment of DLSA Budgam towards its mandate of ensuring equal access to justice, promoting legal literacy and extending free legal aid to eligible and deserving sections of society. DLSA Budgam reiterated its resolve to continue organising such awareness and outreach initiatives to ensure that no individual is deprived of justice due to lack of legal knowledge or financial constraints.
