Under the auspices of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority and chaired by Harpal Singh, District & Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, S.A.S. Nagar, a legal awareness programme was conducted at Amity University, SAS Nagar on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Ms. Surabhi Prashar, CJM and Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar, enlightened students about the free legal services available under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
During the session, Ms. Prashar conveyed that individuals with an annual income of less than 3.00 lakh are entitled to free legal services. Additionally, certain categories such as members of scheduled castes or tribes, victims of mass disasters, industrial workmen, women, children, or persons in custody, regardless of their income, also qualify for these services.
She sensitised students about the grant of compensation under the Punjab Victim Compensation Schemes, 2017, and NALSA’s Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/other Crimes-2018.
Ms. Prashar further explained that in cases where the accused is unidentified or untraceable but the victim is identified, compensation can be granted under Victim Compensation Schemes. She highlighted that in suitable cases where the court makes recommendations as per the provisions of Sub-Section (2) and (3) of Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, compensation is granted. The students were also educated about the provisions of interim compensation for child victims under the POCSO Act.
