Panaji, September 29, 2015 …. Hon’ble Mr. Justice T. S. Thakur Judge, Supreme Court and Executive Chairman, (NALSA) National Legal Services Authority emphasised on the need of proper implementation of welfare schemes by the Centre as well as state governments.
He said more than 90 per cent workforce in India is part of the unorganised sector. Even the benefits of various schemes started for their welfare are proving ineffective due to poor implementation by the respective government authorities.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Thakur was speaking at the inaugural session of the one -day programmes of Court Room Interface under POCSOA, Child Labour & Right to Education, Advancing Lawyering skills-legal Services Lawyers and Commendation of Best DLSA & PLV in the state at a function organised by the Goa State Legal Services Authority recently.
“The largest constituency of our workers is in the unorganised labour. Of the 46 crore workers, 15 crore are women. Every state has poverty alleviation schemes but the benefits don’t reach them,” said Mr. Justice Thakur.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Thakur, said that most of the workforce in unorganised sector gets wages lower than the fixed minimum wages. Though there is a construction workers’ protection Act but the authorities responsible for its implementation have shown little sensitivity, he added.
“When we provide justice, poor people shouldn’t be at disadvantage. They cannot afford to fight,” said Mr. Justice Thakur while informing the gathering that the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has revised Legal Services to the Workers in the Unorganised Sector Scheme enabling the NALSA and the State Legal Services Authorities to act as a watchdog for expeditious implementation of beneficial schemes.
Speaking further he said that Legal Aid implies giving free legal services to the poor and needy who cannot afford the services of a lawyer for the conduct of a case or a legal proceeding in any court, tribunal or before an authority.
Mr. Justice V.M. Kanade, Judge, High Court of Bombay and chairman, Meditation Monitoring Committee, Mumbai ; Mr. Justice F. M. Reis, Judge, High Court of Bombay at Goa and Executive Chairman, GSLSA; Mr. Justice C. V. Bhadang; Mr. Justice K. L. Wadane; Ld. Advocate General Shri A.N.S. Nadkarni; Shri Sudin Usgaonkar, Vice President, Goa High Court Bar Association amongst others were present on the occasion.
Earlier Justice F. M. Reis, Judge, High Court of Bombay at Goa and Executive Chairman, GSLSA. Shri Sudin Usgaonkar, Vice President, Goa High Court Bar Association later proposed vote of thanks.
