New Delhi: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, marking a significant step towards enhancing public awareness of the various social welfare schemes and legal protections available to marginalized and vulnerable communities across India. The MoU signing took place in the presence of Shri Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, and Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman of NALSA.
This collaboration aims to boost legal literacy and ensure that disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), senior citizens, transgender persons, and other vulnerable sections, are better informed about their legal rights and the social welfare programs designed to support them.
Launch of SARTHIE 1.0: A Milestone Initiative
The event also witnessed the official launch of SARTHIE 1.0, a joint initiative by DoSJE and NALSA aimed at empowering marginalized communities through a combination of legal awareness and social welfare support. SARTHIE 1.0 is designed to reach groups such as victims of alcoholism and substance abuse, persons engaged in begging, denotified and nomadic tribes, and others, ensuring they can access the government’s welfare schemes more effectively.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and promoting inclusive social protection policies. The program is expected to bridge the awareness gap among vulnerable communities and provide them with the legal tools needed to exercise their rights.
Empowering Through Legal Awareness
NALSA, established under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, has a mandate to provide legal aid to disadvantaged communities and promote legal literacy. This partnership with the DoSJE will focus on raising awareness of key social welfare legislation, particularly five key Acts that are vital for protecting the rights of marginalized groups:
- Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1965
- Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
- The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
- Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) will play a crucial role in this effort by organizing awareness camps across the country. These camps, staffed by para-legal volunteers and panel lawyers, will take place at the panchayat, district, and state levels, ensuring outreach to the grassroots.
A Synergy Between Executive and Judiciary
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Virendra Kumar emphasized the importance of the MoU, stating, “This collaboration represents a vital step towards ensuring that vulnerable communities are aware of their legal rights and can access the social welfare schemes available to them. The SARTHIE 1.0 initiative is a testament to our commitment to creating a more just and equitable society.”
Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna echoed these sentiments, adding, “The synergy between the judiciary and the executive will strengthen the mission of social justice in India. Through this partnership, we will empower the marginalized to not only understand their rights but also to seek redressal through legal means.”
Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Social Welfare System
The MoU between DoSJE and NALSA marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to combat inequality and ensure that no citizen is left behind. By leveraging legal awareness and social welfare programs, this partnership aims to create a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of background, has access to justice and opportunities for a better future.
With a nationwide rollout of awareness campaigns and outreach programs, the collaboration between DoSJE and NALSA is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of social welfare schemes and ensure that marginalized communities across India can fully benefit from them.