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KISHTWAR: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kishtwar, under the aegis of the J&K Legal Services Authority and in collaboration with UNICEF India, on Saturday organised a one-day consultation on “Strengthening Access to Legal Services for Disaster Victims through the NALSA (Legal Services to Disaster Victims) Scheme- 2010.”
The consultation was held here at Government Degree College. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, graced the programme as the Chief Guest.
On his arrival, Justice Sanjeev Kumar was accorded a Guard of Honour. Afterward, his Lordship inaugurated an exhibition featuring stalls put up by the government departments and College Legal Literacy Club.
The One-Day Consultation Programme commenced with the inspiring inaugural address delivered by Justice Sanjeev Kumar, setting the tone for meaningful deliberations on strengthening access to justice and legal services.
The consultation brought together judicial officers, district administration, disaster response agencies, legal services functionaries and UNICEF representatives to examine how legal assistance, relief and rehabilitation can reach disaster-affected persons promptly, particularly children and other vulnerable groups.
In a significant demonstration of access to justice through technology, Justice Sanjeev Kumar also held an online court from Kishtwar and heard cases of His Lordship’s Bench through virtual mode during the visit.
In his presidential address, Justice Sanjeev Kumar emphasised that legal aid clinics and Legal Services Institutions must serve as accessible first points of assistance for disaster victims.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar called for timely identification of affected persons, legal counselling, help in obtaining essential documents and securing compensation and entitlements, and continued follow-up through rehabilitation. He stressed that the main focus must be given to children, women, persons with disabilities and others who face barriers in accessing assistance.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar stressed the need to strengthen Core Groups at district and community levels and to establish clear coordination among Legal Aid Clinics, Para-Legal Volunteers, Core Groups, DLSAs and the Legal Services Authority.
The DLSA Kishtwar was directed to document field interventions, submit reports promptly, review pending entitlements and coordinate closely with the civil administration, disaster management authorities and child protection agencies. Justice Sanjeev Kumar observed that effective implementation of the NALSA Scheme depends on sustained assistance to affected families at the grassroots level.
Sudhir Kumar Khajuria, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kishtwar and Chairman, DLSA led a technical session on the role of Legal Services Authorities in disaster response, relief and rehabilitation. Hilal Ahmad Bhat, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF J&K, and his team discussed disaster risk education, child protection and the proposed scale-up of legal services interventions for disaster-affected communities.
Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma highlighted the district administration’s response to the Chashoti cloudburst of August 14, 2025, including rescue, restoration and relief measures.
He also outlined steps for improved preparedness and coordination. Para-Legal Volunteers Uzma Tabassum and Sikander Singh shared field perspectives, while students from Kidzee Goodwill International Public School Dhriti Sharma and Rugvija Sharma and Al Hilal Educational Institute Ufaira Anam kelam delivered speeches on disaster awareness and preparedness.
Later, motorised tricycles were distributed among beneficiaries as a part of the effort to support mobility and rehabilitation.
The programme was also attended by Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority Shazia Tabasum ; PDJ and Chairperson DLSA Kishtwar Sudhir Kumar Khajuria; Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma, SSP Kishtwar Sunny Gupta; Principal, Government Degree College, Kishtwar Lekh Raj Badyal, judicial officers; Administrative Officer, J&K Legal Services Authority Muzamil Hayat Kabli, representatives of UNICEF, SDRF and the Army; members of the Bar; legal aid functionaries; faculty members; students and civil society representatives
