SAS Nagar, January 09, 2025: District Legal Services Authority under the aegis of Punjab State Legal Services Authority organized a legal awareness programme on the occasion of “National Youth Day” at Chandigarh University, Gharuan under the chairmanship of Mr. Atul Kasana, District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar. Ms. Surabhi Parashar, CJM-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar apprised the students that National Youth Day is celebrated every year on 12th January, which is the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. In 1984, the Government of India declared this day as National Youth Day.
The philosophy of Swami Ji and his ideals for which he lived and worked can be a great source of inspiration for the Indian youth. He credited him for introducing the Indian philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga to the West. He also worked against superstitions and advocated upliftment of the status of women in the society. Mr. Krishan Kumar Singla, Additional Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar educated the students about the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
He informed that members of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, women, children, mentally ill/handicapped, unemployed, industrial workers, persons in custody, deportees and prisoners in jails and all those persons whose annual income is less than Rs. three lakh are entitled to get free legal aid. He also informed the students that as per the schedule of National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, the first National Lok Adalat for the year 2025 would be held on 08.03.2024 in which criminal compoundable offences, cases under section-138 of NI Act, bank recovery cases, MACT cases, matrimonial disputes, labour disputes, land acquisition cases, electricity and water bills (except non-compoundable theft cases), service matters relating to pay and allowances and retirement benefits, revenue cases and other civil cases (rent, easement rights, injunction suits, specific performance suits) etc. would be considered for settlement between the parties.
Mr. Manjinder Singh, Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar motivated the students to stay away from drugs and also made them aware about the legal rights of drug addicts and their right to free legal aid. He apprised the gathering that the Legal Services Authority is committed to take all the victims of drug abuse to the rehabilitation centre, so that they can be rid of this evil and included in the mainstream as responsible citizens.