Hathras Hosts Mega Legal Aid Camp for Free Legal Help, Welfare Benefits

A mega legal aid and public service camp was organised in Hathras on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to create awareness about legal rights, provide free legal assistance to people in need and ensure that eligible beneficiaries received the benefits of government welfare schemes. The camp was held at the Padma Shri Kaka Hathrasi Smriti Manch, located at the Dauji Maharaj Mela Pandal.

The event was organised under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority, Hathras, and was chaired by District Judge Vinay Kumar Tritiya. District Magistrate Satya Prakash Patel, Superintendent of Police Chiranjiv Nath Sinha, Additional District Judges and officials from various departments also participated in the camp.

The main purpose of the mega and extensive legal aid and service camp was to make the public aware of their legal rights, provide free legal assistance to people who need it and ensure that eligible people received the benefits of government welfare schemes. The programme also brought officials from different departments to a common platform so that people could receive information and assistance at one place.

The programme began with the District Judge, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and Additional District Judges lighting a lamp and offering floral tributes before the idol of Maa Saraswati. Students of Kanya Inter College, Purdilnagar, presented Saraswati Vandana. Students of Kanya Inter College also welcomed the guests with a welcome song. The guests seated on the stage were welcomed by presenting them with plants.

Anu Chaudhary, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, gave detailed information about the outline and objectives of the camp. She explained the purpose of organising the programme and the assistance that could be made available to eligible people through the District Legal Services Authority and government departments.

Students of Surajubai Kanya Inter College presented a street play on de-addiction. Through the performance, they urged people to stay away from drugs and made them aware of their harmful effects. Students of Kanya Inter College, Sasni, presented a folk dance, which was appreciated by the people present at the programme.

During the mega camp, eligible beneficiaries were provided benefits under various government welfare schemes. Beneficiaries who had carried out excellent work were honoured with certificates of appreciation and symbolic mementoes.

Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, a total assistance of Rs 9.61 lakh was provided to 600 self-help groups under CIF/RF startup assistance. Women from self-help groups who had performed excellent work were also honoured with certificates of appreciation. Ayushman cards were distributed to beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Farmers who had performed excellent work under various schemes of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department were honoured at the camp. Benefits related to harvesters and combine harvesters were also provided to eligible beneficiaries under the Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities distributed assistive devices to persons with disabilities. Eligible beneficiaries of schemes run by other departments were also provided benefits during the camp.

Addressing the gathering, District Judge Vinay Kumar Tritiya said that speedy, affordable and accessible justice is the moral right of every citizen. He said that no person should be deprived of justice because of financial difficulties.

The District Judge said that the primary objective of the District Legal Services Authority is to provide free legal assistance to poor, needy and eligible persons. He explained that people who are unable to pay an advocate’s fee can submit an application at the District Legal Services Authority, or DLSA, office located on the district court premises to apply for a free advocate.

He also informed people about legal provisions related to court fees and appealed to them to remain aware of their legal rights. He said that the District Legal Services Authority can help people understand the legal assistance available to them and apply for it when they are eligible.

The District Judge said that information about government welfare schemes is being taken to the public through para-legal volunteers, or PLVs. People who are unable to fill in application forms for government schemes or are unable to obtain information about them are also provided the necessary assistance. He said this support is intended to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach the person standing at the last rung of society.

Speaking about women’s empowerment and gender equality, Vinay Kumar Tritiya appealed to people to end discrimination between sons and daughters. He said that daughters must also be given equal opportunities and respect. He appealed to people to create awareness against social evils such as female foeticide.

The District Judge also called upon parents to keep children away from drugs and bad company and to monitor their activities. He said that parents must remain especially vigilant to secure a safe and bright future for their children. The message of de-addiction and awareness about the harmful effects of drugs, delivered through the street plays at the programme, was also appreciated.

He made it clear that action is taken against people who commit crimes in accordance with the law and that decisions in the judicial system are taken according to legal provisions. He appealed to people to visit the office of the District Legal Services Authority to obtain free legal assistance and information about government welfare schemes and to avail themselves of the benefits according to their eligibility.

District Magistrate Satya Prakash Patel said that the purpose of the legal aid and service camp was to make the public aware of their legal rights and various rules, provide legal assistance to people in need and ensure that the benefits of government welfare schemes reached eligible persons in a transparent manner.

He said that officials and employees of the district administration and police administration participated in the camp along with the Justice Department. Their participation enabled people to obtain information and assistance related to different departments at a single location. Selected beneficiaries were also honoured and rewarded during the camp.

The District Magistrate said that the objective of the government and administration is to ensure access to justice for eligible and needy people standing at the last rung of society and to connect them with government welfare schemes. He said that all concerned departments should work in coordination with one another to achieve this objective.

Additional District Judges, the District Development Officer, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, the Circle Officer, Police, the Chief Medical Officer, the District Economics and Statistics Officer, the President of the Hathras Bar Association, advocates, officers and employees of various departments, beneficiaries and members of the public were present at the programme.