Dedicated Law Univ to be set up with Rs 50 cr allocation
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, July 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stressed the need to democratize access to justice and make it not merely available, but accessible and said that the true test of the country’s legal system lies in its treatment of the weaker sections of the society.
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Speaking at the North Zone Regional Conference of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on ‘Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel & Tribals’ at SKICC, the Chief Minister pressed for establishing robust coordination among legal service authorities, military legal cells, Zila Sainik Boards, and regimental welfare offices.
“Simultaneously, technology must be harnessed to democratize access through mobile apps, virtual consultation platforms, and user friendly legal information portals. Justice in our times must not merely be available; it must also be accessible,” he said.
He lauded the J&K State Legal Services Authority for amending its legal aid rules to expressly include serving and retired defence personnel, as well as the recent procedural reforms introduced by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, which he said merit appreciation for easing access to justice for uniformed citizens.
“These steps are laudable, but they must mark the beginning of a deeper institutional engagement. There is a pressing need to establish robust coordination among legal service authorities, military legal cells, Zila Sainik Boards, and regimental welfare offices,” he added. Click here to watch video
He said that the establishment of dedicated legal aid clinics in cantonments and in districts with significant ex servicemen populations should be prioritized.
Equally important, the Chief Minister noted, is ensuring that families of defence personnel—particularly widows, aged parents, and dependent children—receive empathetic, expert, and timely legal support.
“Awareness must accompany access. No soldier or the family of a soldier should be left adrift, unsure of the procedural avenues available to them,” he said.
To this end, Omar said, paralegal volunteers trained specially in military legal issues should be deployed in areas with high defence populations.
Regarding the tribal communities, which he termed the custodians of rich cultural and ecological heritage, Omar said: “Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Scheduled Tribes, including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, Gaddis, and Sippis, who have preserved ancient traditions while braving difficult terrain.”
”The true test of our legal system lies in its treatment of all the weaker sections of the society, including those who have defended us without question and those whose rights have too often gone unrecognised,” he said.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the sensitive balance that must be maintained between national security and the rights of tribal citizens.
He said that many tribal regions are located in border belts or areas of heightened security oversight.
“However, law enforcement must not translate into legal disenfranchisement. Mechanisms for lodging complaints, accessing courts, and redressing grievances must be made transparent, timely, and responsive,” he said.
He noted that the recent extension of key constitutional protections through the Forest Rights Act, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, and affirmative action policies marks a historic correction in the arc of legal recognition.
“Our Government has correspondingly augmented its development efforts. This year, the capital expenditure for tribal welfare has been raised to Rs 98 crore,” he informed.
He added that six Eklavya Model Residential Schools have been made operational, 222 smart classrooms have been established in tribal dominated schools, and healthcare services have been expanded through mobile medical units.
“The Tribal Research Institute has also been commissioned. These interventions reflect our commitment to combine dignity with development,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that this regional conference was of great significance in deliberating and collectively reflecting on the foundational promise of our Republic for the realization of justice—social, economic, and political—as enshrined in the Preamble and concretized in Article 39A of the Constitution, which enjoins the State to ensure that access to justice is not curtailed by economic or other disabilities.
Paying tribute to the service and sacrifices of defence personnel, many of whom hail from Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for swift, compassionate legal redress for those serving in inhospitable terrains under difficult circumstances.
He highlighted the systemic legal barriers faced by defence personnel in matters such as pension disputes and service related grievances owing to their geographic remoteness and the distinct constraints of military life.
“These interventions reflect our commitment to combine dignity with development. Yet, development alone cannot substitute justice. Structural barriers to legal literacy, representation, and redress continue to persist among tribal populations—owing to linguistic, cultural, and geographic factors,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that the Legal Services Authority has commendably operationalized 255 legal aid clinics, including in tribal villages and correctional institutions, supported by 527 panel lawyers and 561 paralegal volunteers.
He said that Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms also offer immense promise. Lok Adalats, mediation centres, and village level panchayat forums, when duly sensitized, can provide swift, culturally respectful adjudication—especially in matters related to land rights, service entitlements, and local grievances. “These models need to be institutionalized and resourced accordingly,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that capacity building is essential for judicial officers, legal aid lawyers, and field functionaries, who must be trained in tribal customary law, military jurisprudence, and the ethics of constitutional service.
“Only through sustained cross learning can our justice system be truly responsive to the diversity it is meant to serve,” he added.
Highlighting the Government’s vision, Omar informed that his Government has sanctioned the establishment of a dedicated Law University in Jammu and Kashmir with an initial allocation of Rs 50 crore.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the Chief Minister said: “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”
He reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering support to Legal Services Authorities and their partners in delivering justice to the most marginalized.
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