The Sikkim government will begin a state-wide campaign called “Kanooni Sahyog Abhiyan” on August 29 in an effort to make legal aid available to all citizens, particularly in rural and isolated areas, authorities announced on Wednesday. According to a senior official, the program, which will be implemented under the direction of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), aims to bring free legal consultations, affidavit services, and information on important laws right to the people’s doorstep. The campaign will start in the Rhenock seat’s Rorathang and progressively spread to every constituency in the Himalayan state. It will take place once a week, and the dates for the next constituencies will be revealed soon.
According to officials, the program supports the government’s larger goal of empowering women as well as the Chief Minister’s vision of a Golden, Prosperous, and Capable Sikkim and his goal of a drug-free state. The program seeks to close the gap by bringing legal aid to the people’s doorstep. It acknowledges that many people, especially in rural areas, are reluctant to visit legal forums and instead opt to suffer in quiet. Awareness of fundamental legal rights and important laws, such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, Anti-Drugs laws, Domestic Violence Act, and other laws protecting women and children, will be spread as part of the outreach. In order to lower the state’s suicide rate, the initiative will also address mental health rights and interventions.
According to a government spokeswoman, the program aims to empower farmers, women, youth, and rural communities by educating them about their legal rights and ensuring that justice is available to everyone, making it more than just an awareness campaign.
