Srinagar, Feb 18: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday asserted that initiatives such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu and Legal Literacy programmes are vital instruments in realising the vision of B. R. Ambedkar for social and economic justice.
Addressing a Regional Event-cum-Workshop under the Tele-Law Initiative of the DISHA scheme at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre, Meghwal said access to justice must remain the guiding principle of every programme undertaken by the Department of Justice.
He stressed that justice should reach every citizen, whether residing in villages, mountainous regions or coastal areas, and underscored that technology-driven platforms have narrowed the distance between legal institutions and the people.
“Access to justice is a constitutional right of every citizen, and our efforts must ensure that no one is left behind due to geography or lack of resources,” the Minister said, reiterating that the Constitution stands as the foundation of equality, dignity and justice.
The workshop was organised by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, as part of its continuing efforts to expand technology-enabled legal services and promote dialogue among judicial officers, advocates, administrators, Village Level Entrepreneurs, students and civil society representatives.
Meghwal called for the organisation of smaller, focused workshops to widen the network of pro bono lawyers and strengthen grassroots outreach. He actively interacted with Village Level Entrepreneurs, panel advocates and law students, encouraging them to contribute to the growing ecosystem of digital legal services.
He noted that the integration of Tele-Law with the Nyaya Bandhu programme and the support of Nyaya Sahayaks have helped connect beneficiaries with qualified legal professionals for pre-litigation advice, thereby reducing the burden on courts.
During the event, achievers including panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks and Village Level Entrepreneurs were felicitated for their role in strengthening last-mile delivery of legal services across remote and underserved areas.
The programme was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Arun Palli.
In his address, the Chief Minister underlined the need to address court pendency and prevent avoidable litigation through early legal intervention and alternative dispute resolution. He observed that Tele-Law has reached more than 7.5 lakh beneficiaries across nearly 4,000 panchayats, helping resolve disputes at the pre-litigation stage.
The Secretary, Department of Justice, in his welcome address, referred to the constitutional mandate under Articles 14, 21 and 39A, and highlighted the role of the DISHA scheme in delivering affordable and timely justice, particularly in remote regions.
An informational film on the Tele-Law platform was screened to create awareness about its functioning and integration with allied legal support mechanisms.
The workshop concluded with a renewed emphasis on coordination among stakeholders to reinforce digital and inclusive access to justice. Officials said the deliberations would help translate policy initiatives into effective action on the ground, ensuring that legal aid mechanisms remain accessible, responsive and citizen-centric across Jammu and Kashmir.
