Harinder Nikka , Barnala, Oct. 2: 2021
On today i.e. 02.10.2021, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Sh. Virinder Aggarwal, Ld District and Session Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Barnala launched “Plastic Free Barnala Drive” from District Administrative Complex, Barnala under NALSA-Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and Legal Services Week. Sh. Virinder Aggarwal, Ld District and Session Judge Barnala informed that NALSA-Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from 2nd October 2021 to 14th November 2021 and Legal Services Week from 8th November 2021 to 14th November 2021 would be celebrated. On this occasion, Sh. Tej Partap Singh Phoolka, The Deputy Commissioner, Barnala, Sh. Barjinder Pal Singh, Ld. Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Barnala and other Officers and Members were also present. Sh. Virinder Aggarwal, Ld. District & Sessions Judge informed that this “Plastic Free Barnala Drive” launched in coordination with District Administration Barnala, Vyopar Mandal Barnala, Rotary Club Barnala, Lions Club Barnala so as to sensitize the public at large about the hazardous effects of single use plastic on environment.
Under this campaign, a march was carried out from the District Administrative Complex to the Railway Station via Pakka College Road and plastic waste lying on the road was collected on both sides of the way. On the way, the Hon’ble District and Sessions Judge asked the shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable vendors etc. not to use plastic envelopes and also appealed that when any customer comes to their shop, ask them to bring a cloth bag from home and at the same time Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge made the appeal to shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable vendors to give the incentive in the form of charging lesser amount, so as to encourage the people for bring cloth bags from their home. This idea provided by the Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge was appreciated by the shopkeepers as well as by the customers present there. Apart from this, cloth bags prepared in collaboration with Rotary Club, Lions Club and Sanjha Asra, were also distributed to the shopkeepers.
The campaign saw great enthusiasm among the people and shopkeepers and other vendors assured not to use plastic envelopes and bags. After the completion of march, then a Covid-19 Vaccine Camp was organized for the inmates at District Jail, Barnala in collaboration with Health Department, Barnala and about 185 inmates were vaccinated. All these inmates were vaccinated in the presence of Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge. Apart from this, the Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge also made the inmates aware about their legal rights and also informed them about Free Legal Aid scheme, under which they can avail the services of lawyers free of cost to pursue their case.
In the end, Sh. Virinder Aggarwal, Ld District and Session Judge Barnala also informed that in order to ensure that poor and weaker sections of the society find themselves to be able to avail their legal rights, women, children, persons belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe, under trials in custody and persons having an annual income of less than Rs. 3 lac per annum, victims of human trafficking or begar, a person with disability such as suffering from blindness, leprosy, loco motor disability, hearing impairment, mental incapacity, an industrial workmen or mentally ill person in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home are provided Free Legal Services by a panel of competent advocates of DLSA Barnala. Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge informed that the persons belonging to above mentioned categories can approach the office of CJM-cum-Secretary District Legal Services Authority situated at District Court Complex Barnala for the said purpose on any working day or can call Toll Free Helpline number 1968.
