A Regional Event-cum-Workshop under the Tele-Law Initiative of the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) Scheme was successfully organised today i.e. on 17-02-2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.

The workshop was convened as part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen access to justice through technology-enabled services and to foster informed deliberations among key stakeholders, CSCSs, Law schools, including judicial officers, advocates, administrators, field functionaries, students, and civil society representatives.

The event was graced by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and MoS for Parliamentary Affairs, as the Chief Guest, along with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Hon’ble Shri Omar Abdullah, and Hon’ble Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Shri Arun Palli.

The chief guest,  Union Minister of Law and Justice (I/C) , Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, reiterated the central message, “Mulk ke aayeen ke anusaar sabko justice prapt karne ka haq hai aur iss workshop ka bhi yahi uddeshya hai,” emphasizing that this principle should remain the core of every such programme, ensuring that justice reaches every citizen, whether living in villages, mountainous regions, or coastal areas. He lauded the dedicated service of Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Arun Palli, remarking that the impact of his work was widely felt across the region. Welcoming all participants, the Minister referred to the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, 2025, and shared a moving account of a soldier’s family to highlight the importance of strong legal support systems. He encouraged the organization of smaller, focused workshops to expand the network of pro bono lawyers and actively interacted with VLEs, advocates, and students. Concluding on a poetic note, he expressed confidence that collective efforts would transform Jammu & Kashmir into a model region for access to justice and further strengthen the Tele-Law programme.

The programme commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a cultural presentation of “Vande Mataram” by local artists, celebrating 150^th Anniversary of India’s National Song Vande Mataram. Continuing with the workshop, in his welcome address, the Secretary (Justice), Department of Justice, highlighted the constitutional mandate under Article 39A, Article 14 and Article 21 and emphasized the role of DISHA in ensuring accessible, affordable, and timely justice for citizens, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Following the welcome address by Secretary (Justice), in the segment of DISHA Scheme-yojana ke aayaam sugam evam sulabh Nyaya tak pohoch,  short informational video was screened during the programme to create awareness among citizens about the functioning of the Tele-Law service and its role in facilitating easy access to justice and timely pre-litigation legal advice. The video also highlighted the integration of Tele-Law with the Nyaya Bandhu programme and the support provided by Nyaya Sahayaks, showcasing how these initiatives work together to connect beneficiaries with qualified legal professionals and pro bono advocates, thereby strengthening the delivery of legal services at the grassroots level.

During the event, achievers including panel lawyers, Nyaya Sahayaks, and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) under Tele-Law, were felicitated in recognition of their outstanding contributions to strengthening last-mile access to justice. Their dedicated efforts in providing timely legal assistance, spreading legal awareness, and facilitating the effective implementation of Tele-Law and allied initiatives were appreciated. The felicitation ceremony highlighted the crucial role played by these grassroots functionaries in empowering citizens, especially in remote and underserved areas, and in reinforcing public trust in the justice delivery system.

The event featured the addresses by dignitaries including key note by Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah, underscored the core message that “Mulk ke aayeen ke anusaar sabko justice prapt karne ka haq hai aur iss workshop ka bhi yahi uddeshya hai,” and appreciated the efforts of the Department of Justice in strengthening legal awareness and access to justice in Jammu & Kashmir through the effective use of technology. Emphasizing that “justice delayed is justice denied,” he highlighted the growing burden and pendency in courts and underlined the need to reduce unnecessary litigation by promoting timely disposal of cases, preventing avoidable disputes, and encouraging alternative resolution mechanisms. He noted that initiatives such as Tele-Law, which have reached over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries across nearly 4,000 Panchayats, play a vital role in resolving issues at the pre-litigation stage. While acknowledging the progress made, he stressed that more can be achieved through continued collaboration with the Department of Justice and adoption of best practices, and expressed confidence that the workshop would further strengthen Tele-Law and contribute to reducing the burden on courts. Addressing the gathering, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal underscored that the Constitution of India is the cornerstone of justice, equality, and dignity. He emphasized that initiatives such as Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, and Legal Literacy programmes are instrumental in realizing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of social and economic justice. He further stated that the use of digital platforms has transformed justice delivery by bringing legal services closer to citizens.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for interaction, experience-sharing, and policy dialogue among stakeholders, thereby strengthening coordination and collaboration for effective last-mile justice delivery.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Joint Secretary expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, and participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the Regional Workshop. He thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Hon’ble Chief Justice for their guidance and inspiring presence, and acknowledged the leadership of the Secretary, Department of Justice, in advancing citizen-centric justice delivery. Appreciation was also extended to the CSC team, NALSA, SLSA, local administration, academic institutions, media, and other stakeholders for their dedicated support.

Concluding, he noted that the workshop marked an important step towards strengthening digital and inclusive access to justice and expressed confidence that its outcomes would translate into meaningful action on the ground.

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Samrat/