Rural Legal Aid Centre Inaugurated at Sunabeda 60-Day NALSA Mega Drive Launched in Nuapada District

Nuapada/Sunabeda: With the objective of taking free legal services and access to justice closer to people living in remote areas, a 60-day Mega Drive was launched at the Sunabeda Gram Panchayat office in Nuapada district by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Nuapada, under the direction of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi. As part of the programme, a Rural Legal Aid Centre was inaugurated at the Sunabeda Gram Panchayat office by Navanita Dash, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Nuapada. The 60-day Mega Drive will continue till October 23, 2026. Nuapada is among the districts selected for the special initiative. Under the NALSA programme, districts from 18 states have been selected, with three to seven districts chosen from each state. The selected districts were directed to conduct the Mega Drive in villages located in remote areas. Considering the remote location of Sunabeda Gram Panchayat, situated within the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, the village was selected by the District Legal Services Authority for implementation of the programme. The primary objective of the Rural Legal Aid Centre is to provide legal assistance, legal advice and awareness about various legal rights and services to residents of Sunabeda and adjoining areas. Special emphasis will be given to economically and socially weaker sections, women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other eligible persons requiring legal assistance. The programme was attended by Chief Development Officer, Zilla Parishad, Nuapada, Lambodar Dharua; Komna Block Development Officer Pabitra Samal; Additional Block Development Officer Bhaktabandhu Budek; Deputy Legal Aid Defence Counsel Anup Sharma; Sunabeda Sarpanch Rajani Jagat; Panchayat Development Officer Jay Prakash Majhi; and Legal Aid Defence Volunteers Tofan Bag and Chitteswari Jagat, besides a large number of villagers. During the programme, officials and legal professionals sensitised the people about free legal services, legal consultation, mediation and their legal rights. Emphasis was laid on ensuring that legal assistance and access to justice reach people at the grassroots level. Legal Aid Volunteers have also been engaged to create awareness among the public about the free legal services available through the Legal Services Authority and to connect eligible persons requiring assistance with the appropriate legal service mechanism. The establishment of the Rural Legal Aid Centre at Sunabeda is expected to make access to legal assistance easier and more convenient for people living in the remote area. Speaking to the media, DLSA Secretary Navanita Dash said the initiative is an important step towards realising the objective of “Justice for All” by ensuring that legal services reach people in remote and underserved areas.