Two convicts complete training as Paralegal Volunteers REBYNA RANA

GANGTOK, 26 Mar: Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim & Patron-in-chief, Sikkim SLSA, Justice Narendra Kumar Jain, accompanied by Justice SP Wangdi [Judge, High Court of Sikkim & Executive Chairman, Sikkim SLSA] handed over certificates to two convicts trained as Para Legal Volunteers [PLVs] here at the State Central Prison, Rongyek, today.
The two convicts - Kul Chandra Baral and Deepok Pradhan - have successfully completed the two-day “Para Legal Training” organized by the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority which was held from 28 February to 01 March.
Addressing the function, Justice Jain, who was present as the chief guest, said that under the Para Legal Volunteers Scheme, the National Legal Services Authority directed the State Authority to impart legal training to volunteers selected from different walks of life so as to ensure legal aid reaches all sections of people.
“PLVs are not only expected to impart awareness on laws and legal system but they must also counsel and amicably settle simple disputes between the parties at the source itself. In fact, more legal aid is required in jails,” he highlighted.
Stressing on the objectives of SLSA, Justice Jain said that the social objective is to make the public at large aware about legal aids available.
“The two convicts who they have been trained by the panel advocates and volunteers to make all the convicts and under trials aware about their legal rights,” he said and urged them to utilize these experiences in providing justice for them.
Justice Wangdi, in turn, said that the paralegal volunteers are expected to act as intermediaries bridging the gap between the common people and the legal services institutions to remove impediments in access to justice for all.
In fact, the process aims at legal services institutions reaching out to the people at their doorsteps rather than people approaching such legal services authorities.
Congratulating the two trained convicts Justice Wangdi said, “I am sure that after going through this training you will be satisfied with your work as a PLV”. He added that they can better understand and address problems of other inmates and convicts, and in the process also reform themselves.
The function was also addressed by Panel Advocate, Sikkim SLSA, Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, Member Secretary KW Bhutia, and Superintendent of Police, State Central Prison, Rongyek, Hissey Zongpu Bhutia.
The function was also attended by the Office Superintendent SLSA, Praveen Pradhan, Panel Advocates and Volunteers of SLSA, Officers of Jail Authority,