Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, attended the programme as Chief Guest. He underscored that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to justice and stressed that technology must ensure this right reaches people in villages, remote mountainous regions and underserved communities.
“Access to justice must reach every citizen, regardless of location,” he said, highlighting the importance of legal awareness, pro bono services and digital platforms under the Tele-Law initiative.
The Minister also referred to initiatives such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu and legal literacy programmes, stating that they contribute significantly to realising the constitutional vision of social and economic justice.
High-Level Participation
The event was also attended by the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah, and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Shri Arun Palli.
In his keynote address, the Chief Minister emphasised that “justice delayed is justice denied” and highlighted the need to reduce unnecessary litigation by promoting pre-litigation advice and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
He noted that Tele-Law has reached over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries across nearly 4,000 Panchayats, demonstrating the scheme’s growing impact in resolving disputes before they escalate to courts.
DISHA Scheme and Constitutional Mandate
In the welcome address, the Secretary, Department of Justice, reiterated the constitutional mandate under Articles 14, 21 and 39A, which guarantee equality before law and free legal aid to ensure justice for all. The DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme, he said, aims to make justice accessible, affordable and timely.
A short informational video was screened to raise awareness about Tele-Law services and their integration with the Nyaya Bandhu programme. The presentation explained how Nyaya Sahayaks and pro bono advocates connect beneficiaries with qualified legal professionals through digital platforms.
Recognising Grassroots Contributors
During the event, achievers including panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks and Village Level Entrepreneurs were felicitated for their role in strengthening last-mile access to justice. Their efforts in spreading legal awareness and facilitating timely advice were acknowledged as crucial to building trust in the justice system.
The workshop served as a platform for interaction, policy dialogue and experience-sharing among stakeholders, reinforcing coordination between the judiciary, executive agencies and grassroots functionaries.
Towards Inclusive Digital Justice
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a cultural rendition of “Vande Mataram,” marking the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song.
In his concluding remarks, the Joint Secretary of the Department of Justice expressed gratitude to dignitaries and stakeholders, including CSC teams, NALSA, SLSA, academic institutions and the media.
As the Tele-Law initiative expands its digital footprint, the Srinagar workshop marks a significant step in strengthening inclusive, technology-driven access to justice in Jammu & Kashmir, with a clear focus on empowering citizens at the grassroots.