Regional Workshop for Second Phase of 'Disha' Program Held in Goa to Enhance Access to Justice

The Department of Justice under the Union Ministry of Law and Justice organized a regional workshop titled 'Exploring New Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice' at the Indian Law Institute (IILE R) in Goa. This program was conducted as part of the second phase of the 'Disha' scheme, which primarily aims to strengthen citizen-centric justice delivery and make people aware of their legal rights and remedies.

Governor of Goa, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, attended the workshop as the chief guest. In his address, he stated that ensuring dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity for every citizen, regardless of their social or economic background, is at the center of the constitutional vision. He called for collective efforts to create a more accessible, responsive, and humane justice delivery system toward the goal of a developed India by 2047.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge), Arjun Ram Meghwal, discussed the importance of Tele-Law and free legal services on this occasion. He emphasized that access to justice does not merely mean access to courts, but also empowering people by informing them of their rights and simplifying services. Referring to the 'Nyaya Bandhu' initiative, Mr. Meghwal described lawyers providing free legal services as 'protectors of justice.'

Joint Secretary of the Department of Justice, Suresh Kumar, reiterated the commitment to the second phase of the Disha scheme in his welcome address. He mentioned a special focus on Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, legal literacy programs, and Vidhi-Sanjeevani. During the event, the 'Nyaya Prabodh' initiative's 'Know Your Rights in 90 Seconds' and a slogan competition were also discussed. Participants can submit their slogans for this competition on the Department of Justice website until December 31, 2026.

Professor (Dr.) R. Venkat Rao, Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Law Institute, praised the 'Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot' launched under the Disha scheme, calling it a significant initiative for obtaining legal information.

The workshop was attended by officials from the Central and Goa governments, representatives from Common Service Centers (CSC), law institutes, and various stakeholders associated with legal aid. The program also featured direct interactions with beneficiaries, village-level entrepreneurs, and panel lawyers, where experiences regarding the provision of legal advice and assistance were shared.