Do some extra work, if want to be on top: ACJ

Acting Chief Justice and Executive Chairman of Jharkhand Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) Justice DN Patel said that only after coming out of their air-conditioned rooms, Secretaries of various District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) will be able to know about the ground realities in their areas.

Addressing a gathering at ‘State Level Conclave’ of DLSA Secretaries, Retainer Lawyers and Jail Panel Lawyers of Jharkhand, the Acting Chief Justice also added that if they want to be on the top, they will have to do some extra than the routine work assigned to them.

“Everyone does the routine work, but if you always want to be on the top, you will have to some extra than the routine job,” said Justice Patel. JHALSA got recognition at the national level just due to the works done by it, he added.

“If you have any new idea towards providing justice to the last person sitting on the social strata, you can share it here on this platform,” said the Acting Chief Justice. He also shared his experiences during a visit to Birsa Munda Central Jail. He had received as many as 141 appeals within a week after the jail inmates were made aware about the process of filing appeals.    

The Acting Chief Justice further said that it was a great achievement that the works done in Jharkhand was praised by the Chief Justice of India. But it will be difficult to maintain the status quo, he added.

“For this we will have to work together and provide justice to children, widows, women and old age persons on priority basis,” said Justice Patel.

Justice PP Bhatt of Gujarat High Court, addressing the gathering said that Jharkhand was the only State in the country where permanent posting of Secretaries of District Legal Services Authority has been done.

“Example of Jharkhand is given everywhere for permanent posting of DLSA secretaries as they would be able to do their work in efficient way only after they will be kept free from other routine works,” said Justice Bhatt.

Justice HC Mishra of Jharkhand High Court, on the other hand, said that every citizen of India has right to justice for which JHALSA conducts ‘Nyay Aapke Dwar’ Programme under the directions of National Legal Services Authority for which Jharkhand is on the top among all States in the Country.

“Secretaries of DLSA and their officials have been doing their work effectively so that no one remains devoid of the welfare programmes,” said Justice Mishra.