The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Panchkula has launched the ‘Saathi’ campaign to provide legal identity to destitute and helpless children. Launched on the instructions of Haryana State Legal Services Authority, this campaign aims to link deprived children with Aadhaar card and government welfare schemes.
A district level committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, DLSA Panchkula, Ms. Aparna Bhardwaj. This committee includes Tehsildar (Panchkula and Kalka), District Child Protection Officer, District Education Officer, representatives of Women and Child Development Department, Bal Niketan, Shishu Grih, Aashiyana and panel advocates and para legal volunteers.
The committee members will conduct area-wise survey and identify needy children and provide them necessary legal and administrative assistance.
Ms. Bhardwaj said that under the campaign, children will be provided the benefits of Aadhaar card, free legal aid and government schemes. She said that the Saathi campaign will ensure that no child is deprived of his basic rights and government benefits due to lack of identity. This will connect them to the mainstream of society with legal protection.
The authority has appealed to the public that if anyone has information about such children or needs help related to the campaign, he can contact DLSA helpline number 0172-2585566 or toll free number 15100. This campaign will not only protect the rights of children but will also give them a respectable place in the society.