Legal literacy picks up momentum in MP

Jabalpur, May 26 (UNI) Aimed at spreading legal literacy, the State Legal Services Authority has organised 2292 literacy camps at tahsil-level across Madhya Pradesh last year benefitting 4.44 lakh people.

''People are imparted legal literacy to educate them about their rights, in approaching the courts and also to seek legal aid'', Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority Executive Chairman Justice Deepak Mishra told UNI.

The Authority has increased the limit to extend legal aid to people having annual income upto Rs 50,000, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, women, children and handicapped.

Justice Mishra said the National Legal Services Authority was holding workshops on trafficking and HIV for capacity building and to sensitise the judicial system. Members of the bar, judiciary and NGOs also attend the workshops.

Along with spreading legal literacy, people are educated to desist from foeticide and sex determination tests in view of the fragile sex ratio in the country, he said.

The Authority also organised Lok Adalats at different levels settling more than 1.53 lakh cases last year. Awards totalling Rs 367 crore were passed in settlement of insurance claims, bank suits and other claims, Justice Mishra added.

He said efforts for amicable settlement of matrimonial disputes proved successful in many cases and several cases under section 125 CrPC relating to grant of maintenance allowance were also settled through mutual consent.

In Lok Adalats held at the central jail, legal aid was extended to 530 people last year, he added.

UNI XC-RG SP SY BST1806