The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched a scheme on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas to provide free legal aid to soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families, officials told PTI on Saturday.
NALSA's executive chairman, Justice Suryakant, launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojna on Saturday in a ceremony held in New Delhi. He virtually inaugurated legal services clinics in Sainik Welfare Boards across states.
A legal services clinic at the headquarters of Himachal Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Corporation, Hamirpur, was also inaugurated virtually, officials said.
Free legal aid will be provided to ex-servicemen, serving soldiers and their families in the legal services clinic established in Hamirpur. Panel lawyers and paralegal volunteers from the Legal Services Authority will be available at this clinic, they added.
“Members of our armed forces and their families face legal hurdles like any other citizen—whether land disputes, service entitlements, or matrimonial issues—but their unique service conditions make access to justice more difficult. This scheme is our solemn pledge to stand beside those who protect our borders, ensuring that their rights are not left unprotected,” Justice Suryakant has been quoted as saying by LiveLaw.
According to LiveLaw, Justice Surya Kant outlined the three pillars of the Yojana:
1. A dedicated network of Legal Services Clinics at Zilla, Rajya, and Kendriya Sainik Boards.
2. Trained Nodal Officers, legal aid counsels, and PLVs, including ex-servicemen, to assist families in a compassionate and timely manner.
3. Digital access and online redressal mechanisms, including e-Lok Adalats and online mediation, to ensure speed and convenience.
He added, “Our Constitution, through Article 39A, mandates equal access to justice for all. If we fail to extend this support to our jawans and their families, we fail in our constitutional duty. The Yojana is our way of saying that just as they safeguard our freedom, we safeguard their dignity and rights.”
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, commended NALSA's initiative, noting that this scheme resonates with the Government's commitment to inclusive justice, digital empowerment, and fast-tracking cases involving defence personnel.
Meanwhile, Vijay Diwas was observed in various parts of the state where rich tributes were paid to the soldiers who were killed in the Kargil War.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on July 26 every year. On this day in 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, declaring victory after a nearly three-month battle on the icy heights of Kargil, including such super-high-altitude locations as Tololing and Tiger Hill.
With inputs from PTI
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