Legal awareness programme held at Sampalgre village in West Garo Hills

TURA: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), West Garo Hills under the aegis of Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, Shillong, in collaboration with the District Administration, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Health Department, District Disability Resource Centre, Social Welfare, ICDS, Agriculture and Horticulture Departments organized a one-day Health Camp-cum-Legal Awareness Program at Sampalgre village under Gambegre C&RD Block on 2 July with the Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Justice Sanjib Banerjee, as the chief guest and where the people from adjoining areas, the Nokmas of different A.king-lands, officials from various Government departments and other dignitaries participated.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief justice said that the Constitution of India has given us rights but it is our misfortune that despite 75 years of independence people are not even aware of fundamental rights and informed that the right to water, right of having access to roads, the right to free education up to the age of 14 years are the most basic rights and these rights together with basic health care must be made available to the people.

The people must fight for their rights and they must assert themselves so that these rights can be enjoyed by them and they can help themselves by not making any distinction between person and person, he said. He also that unless we respect women, we will not have a harmonious society.

Justice HS Thangkhiew, Judge of the High Court of Meghalaya, while addressing the gathering, highlighted the aims and objectives of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, poverty alleviation and para-legal volunteers. He also informed that there are free legal services available for the people belonging to the weaker sections of society.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, stressed the need to have an Aadhar Card, EPIC and bank accounts for availing of various schemes of the Govt. He also assured to look into the problems being faced by the people of Sampalgre village.

Chakkim A Sangma, a para-legal volunteer, highlighted the difficulties and problems of the Sampalgre village.

During the day-long program, Project Director of DRDA, MT Sangma, highlighted the poverty alleviation schemes of the Govt. like MGNREGS, PMAY-G, IGNOAPS, National Food Security Act, 2013, Midday-Meal Scheme, Payment for Eco-system Services, etc. District Medical and Health Officer, Dr Bijoy Deb Barma, deliberated on maternity and child health while the CDPO, Gambegre C&RD Block, highlighted the welfare schemes being implemented by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

The Agriculture Development Officer (Marketing), Pietila Ch Marak, highlighted the package and practice for vegetable cultivation to improve livelihood for farmers while the District Agriculture Officer deliberated on the schemes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the District Social Welfare Officer, highlighted the schemes being implemented by the department.

On the day, DR Kharbteng, District and Sessions Judge, West Garo Hills, delivered the welcome address while MK Lyngdoh, the Chief Judicial Magistrate and the Secretary of DLSA, proposed the vote of thanks and delivered the concluding remarks.

During the day, a medical health camp was also held simultaneously for the villagers. (Due to poor network, being unable to attach a photo, will try after some time), a press release said. 

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