Srinagar, Feb 17: A Regional Event-cum-Workshop under the Tele-Law Initiative of the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) Scheme was held on Tuesday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), organised by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
The event aimed to strengthen access to justice through technology-enabled services and promote dialogue among key stakeholders, including judicial officers, advocates, administrators, law students, CSC representatives, and civil society members.
The programme was attended by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, as Chief Guest; Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir; and Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The workshop began with the ceremonial lamp lighting and a cultural presentation of “Vande Mataram,” marking the 150th anniversary of the national song. In his welcome address, the Secretary (Justice) highlighted the constitutional mandate of equal access to justice and underlined the role of the DISHA scheme in delivering affordable and timely legal services, particularly in remote areas.
An informational video showcased the functioning of Tele-Law services, its integration with Nyaya Bandhu, and the support of Nyaya Sahayaks in connecting citizens with legal professionals for pre-litigation advice.
During the event, panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks, and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) were felicitated for their contribution to expanding last-mile access to justice.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that access to justice is a constitutional right and stressed the need to reduce pendency in courts by promoting early dispute resolution. He noted that Tele-Law has benefited over 7.5 lakh people across nearly 4,000 panchayats and said continued collaboration would further strengthen the initiative.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Constitution remains the foundation of justice, equality, and dignity. He highlighted the importance of digital platforms in transforming justice delivery and encouraged expanding pro bono legal networks through focused workshops.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by the Joint Secretary, who appreciated the contributions of the judiciary, administration, CSCs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. The organisers expressed confidence that the deliberations would translate into stronger, more inclusive justice delivery at the grassroots level.
