MARGAO: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) South Goa has been actively providing legal aid to numerous beneficiaries for the past two years, according to Judge Sarika Fal Dessai, Secretary of DLSA South Goa. She highlighted that the authority has a panel of around 62 advocates at both the district and taluka levels, ensuring that each lawyer is allocated sufficient cases.
In addition to the panel, there is a retainer lawyer at both district and taluka levels, stationed at the front office to offer services to beneficiaries. Fal Dessai emphasised the presence of 38 pro bono lawyers dedicated to providing legal services.
The National Lok Adalats conducted across South Goa have been particularly successful, with the latest session on December 9, 2023, disposing of approximately 559 cases, amounting to Rs 37,765,237 in settlements, she added.
Fal Dessai highlighted that the DLSA operates to deliver legal services to the disadvantaged and marginalised sections of society at the district level. According to Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, individuals falling under categories like scheduled caste or tribe, victims of human trafficking or beggary, women, children, persons with disabilities, victims of disasters, and those with an annual income below Rs three lakh are entitled to legal aid. The DLSA provides free legal advice through various channels, including front offices, legal services clinics, and tthe helpline 15100.
The DLSA South Goa carries out responsibilities such as establishing legal services clinics, providing legal representation, implementing legal aid schemes, and organising legal awareness camps and lok adalats. Throughout 2023, the authority conducted various camps and awareness programmes across talukas, collaborating with educational institutions, government offices, NGOs, and online platforms.
Fal Dessai stressed the authority’s commitment to humane conditions in jails, monitoring the release of undertrial prisoners, and assisting convicted prisoners in preparing applications for premature release. Since March 30, 2023, the DLSA has set up Legal Aid Defence Counsel exclusively handling legal aid work in criminal matters, particularly in serious cases like murder, rape, NDPS, and attempt to murder. The Legal Aid Defence Counsels represent accused individuals from pre-arrest to remand stages, facilitating the filing of bail applications.
