‘70% OF TRIBAL PROBLEMS WOULD BE SOLVED IF EMPOWERED ABOUT RIGHTS’
Judge, Gauhati High Court and executive chairman, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) justice Songkhupchung Serto said that 70% of the problems of tribal communities or villagers would be solved if they were empowered about their rights and entitlements “especially pertaining to the three sectors under education, food, and health schemes.”
He was addressing a gathering of villagers in Longleng on October 30 where a legal awareness programme was organised as part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”-Pan India awareness and legal services week.
While NSLSA has taken up four schemes- Right to Education Act, 2019, National Food Security Act, 2013, and schemes under health and social welfare on priority for rendering state-wide awareness for two years starting from 2020 under the initiative of the executive chairman, the judge viewed that “if people learnt and received awareness about these priority topics, 70% of the problems would be solved.” When we have food, we have education and health, he further stated.
Speaking on right to education, Serto stated that the government has given us the right under Article 21 (A) of the constitution of India which was not just the right to life but the right to live with dignity.
“So to have life with dignity, one must be educated,” he commented and added that the government with that realisation amended Article 21 and added Article 21 (A).
“When our children is assured free education till Class 8, the government is taking care of our children for many years and the money one would have spent for up to class 8 can later be used to send our children to good colleges” the judge said.
He also appealed to the people to send children to government schools without paying fees along with free school uniforms.
Speaking of empowerment, the justice also highlighted the legal services authority office in the district court, which has been set up to cater and assist the villagers.
While citing a grave example of few children in a village who seemed to be deprived of formal education because their teachers from Dimapur and Kohima did not attend the school, he questioned on how these Christian teachers drew salary without service.
He therefore appealed all to be responsible for their community; to be in their villages; educate the children and enjoy their produce and fellowship of togetherness.
Meanwhile, principal secretary, law and justice department, R. Ramakrishnan while noting that people in rural areas were not aware of their rights said that they have to utilise the different system prevalent, be it customary law or the judicial system to benefit everyone equally.
Among a host of legal awareness topics taken up, panel lawyer Panglang Y Phom spoke on Right to Education Act, 2019; panel lawyer Chingmei Phom on National Food Security Act, 2013; panel lawyer P Monyei Phom on pension schemes under the social welfare department and Lok Adalat and panel lawyer A Mane Phom on Right to Information act, 2005.
Earlier, Eastern Blind Care Home sung the theme song of the Nagaland State Legal Services Week and a song in Manipuri.
The programme was chaired by the programme was chaired by retainer lawyer, A Mane Phom while Longleng JMFC and DLSA secretary Holika Sukhalu NJS proposed the vote of thanks.