Taxi Operators at Deotsidh Briefed on NALSA Schemes and Free Legal Aid

Deotsidh, August 13: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Hamirpur, organised a legal awareness camp at Deotsidh in collaboration with the local police. The programme was chaired by DLSA Secretary Kuldeep Sharma.

Addressing a large gathering of taxi operators, drivers and local residents from Deotsidh, Chakmoh and Shah Talai, Kuldeep Sharma briefed participants about various schemes of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), particularly the free legal aid scheme.

He said members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, women, children, persons with disabilities, disaster victims, victims of atrocities, workers, transgender persons, prisoners and people from all categories with an annual income below ₹3 lakh are eligible for free legal assistance.

He explained that eligible persons can apply for free legal aid through the Front Office established at any court complex. NALSA has also introduced schemes for victims of human trafficking, people living in slums, workers in the unorganised sector, persons affected by drug addiction and women facing various forms of abuse, including acid attacks.

Kuldeep Sharma said people can seek assistance through the NALSA helpline **15100**. Panel advocates and para-legal volunteers are also made available by the legal services authorities to provide free legal assistance.

He also explained various provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and stressed the importance of strict compliance with traffic rules. He said road accidents claim many lives every day and can leave victims permanently disabled, causing serious difficulties for their families.

He urged all vehicle drivers to follow traffic rules responsibly to help prevent accidents. He also sensitised participants about the harmful effects of drug abuse.

The officer in charge of Deotsidh Police Post also provided the participants with important information regarding various legal provisions during the programme.