Puducherry :

“Care centres to be opened in every village”

A first of its kind legal aid clinic exclusively for women was inaugurated by Justice Satish K. Agnihotri, Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and patron-in-chief of the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority here on Saturday.

Speaking at the function, Mr. Justice Agnihotri observed quite pertinently that besides advocates and judicial officers, revenue officers and all others who deal with day-to-day activities should have been invited to the event.

Laying emphasis on the welfare of women whom he termed as the backbone of society, he went on to say: “Why this legal aid clinic exclusively for women? No one, no person can achieve anything without the support of backbone of the family — woman.”

The acting Chief Justice pointed to the fact that Puducherry, with 500 villages in its territory, had only about 30 village care centres. “We have decided to open one in each and every village of the Union Territory of Puducherry. He further added that it was not for purpose of court-oriented litigation but for implementation of various schemes and resolving disputes and trying lto give your rights,” he said.

Tracing the history of Puducherry Legal Services Authority, Justice C.S. Karnan, Judge of the Madras High Court, said, “The main objective of authority is to educate and sensitise the common man on streets regarding the right to legal, to propagate legal literacy mission and to support the cause of underprivileged.”

In his special address, Justice K.K. Sasidharan said the legal aid clinic for woman was opened for the purpose of their betterment.

K. Arul, Member Secretary Puducherry Legal Services Authority, C.S. Murugan, Principal Sessions Judge, and others participated.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Puducherry / by R. Sivaraman / Puducherry – June 22nd, 2014