Acting Chief Justice chairs awareness programme on NALSA’s SAMVAD Scheme

Shopian, Aug 8: Acting Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Sanjeev Kumar and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, in presence of M.K. Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh Saturday presided over an awareness programme on NALSA’s SAMVAD (Strengthening Access to Justice for Marginalized, Vulnerable Adivasis and De notified/ Nomadic Tribes) Scheme at Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College, Shopian.
The programme was organized by the District Legal Services Authority, Shopian under the aegis of J&K Legal Services Authority.
On arrival, the Acting Chief Justice and other dignitaries inspected various stalls presented by the different government departments of district Shopian.
In his presidential address, the Acting Chief Justice lauded the efforts of DLSA Shopian and J&K LSA for organizing such programmes. He highlighted the constitutional and legal rights of tribal communities and emphasized the role of Legal Services Authorities in ensuring access to justice at the grassroots level. He stressed that NALSA’s SAMVAD Scheme, 2025” is aimed at bridging the gap between tribal people and legal aid services.
Delivering the welcome address, Mehmood Ahmad Chowdhary, Principal District & Sessions Judge & Chairman, DLSA Shopian highlighted the importance of spreading legal awareness and community outreach among the tribal populations.
MLA Shopian, Deputy Commissioner Shopian and SSP Shopian were also present.
Later, the dignitaries released the publication “Sabeel”, prepared by District Legal Services Authority, Shopian.
A vibrant cultural programme was presented by the tribal boys and girls which showcased the rich culture and heritage of the tribal community of Shopian.
The event was attended by more than two thousand Tribal people of every nook and corner of Shopian who were made aware about the Samvad Scheme 2025.
During the programme, felicitation certificates were distributed among the achievers of tribal community of the district. Apart from that beneficiaries of various government schemes from the tribal community were awarded the benefits on the spot by the Acting Chief Justice and other dignitaries.
The members of Bar, representatives of tribal communities and officers of various departments also spoke on the occasion and shared their views regarding implementation of tribal welfare schemes.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Principal Magistrate, JJB Shopian.
Later, the Acting Chief Justice and Registrar General visited and inspected the newly constructed District Court Complex, Shopian. This was followed by an interaction with the Judicial Officers of District Shopian and an interaction with the Members of the Bar Association, Shopian where issues relating to legal aid and access to justice were discussed.
Registrar Vigilance, Registrar Judicial, Registrar IT and Joint Registrar Protocol from the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and other officers of Shopian district were also present.