Srinagar, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday emphasized the importance of the Tele-Law initiative in expanding access to justice and easing pressure on courts, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas.
He was speaking at a regional workshop on Tele-Law organized by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the scheme would be further strengthened through joint efforts with the Centre. He said more lawyers should be connected on a pro-bono basis to ensure timely and accessible justice for all citizens.
The workshop was held under the Tele-Law programme as part of the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA), a central sector scheme implemented by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Justice Arun Palli, and Secretary, Law and Justice, Government of India Niraj Verma, along with senior officials and stakeholders, attended the event.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Abdullah said Tele-Law helps resolve disputes before they escalate into litigation by informing people about their rights and promoting mediation. He noted that only cases requiring judicial intervention should reach courts, which would help reduce pendency.
The Chief Minister observed that while urban residents have relatively easy access to legal services, people in far-flung areas often remain unaware of their rights. Tele-Law, he said, connects such populations with legal assistance through technology, ensuring affordable and timely justice.
Reiterating that access to justice is a constitutional right, he stressed that delays in justice delivery amount to denial of justice. He pointed out that courts across the country are facing mounting pressure due to increasing case pendency and called for a multi-pronged strategy to address the challenge.
“There are only three ways to reduce pendency — speedy disposal of incoming cases, reduction of existing backlog, and ensuring that fewer unnecessary cases reach courts,” he said.
Abdullah said the Tele-Law scheme has expanded considerably in Jammu and Kashmir, growing from coverage in two districts to all 20 districts. He added that the programme now covers over 4,000 panchayats and has delivered more than 7.5 lakh legal advisories.
However, he emphasized the need to assess the scheme’s impact relative to population size and learn from best practices in other states. He also appreciated the contribution of Common Service Centres in implementing the initiative, noting that Tele-Law has created additional work opportunities for these centres.
Expressing confidence that the workshop would help strengthen the programme, the Chief Minister said broader outreach through Tele-Law would benefit more people and further reduce the burden on courts.
