LEGAL AID SOCIETY REPORT

Director: Associate Professor Dr. G. Shaber Ali
Associate Director: Assistant Professor Pearl Monteiro
Website – https://vmslaw.edu.in/legal-aid-society/
Blog – http://vmscllegalaidsociety.blogspot.com/2015/12/legal-aid-at-vmscl-goa-hyphen-that.html

Legal Aid is a unique activity, which is in consonance with the College motto of ‘Excellence in Legal Education in pursuit of Justice and Service to Humanity’. Helping the community concept has been going on in this College since 1998. This mammoth activity comprising 26 permanent free legal aid cells spread across the State of Goa. The concept of legal aid facility includes legal literacy, para legal services and pre-litigation process to the disadvantaged community. It extends also to representations, public interest litigation, law reforms, enforcement and implementation of law in practice. Our legal aid services are unique in nature and recognized by many well-known institutes in India as well as in foreign countries. The Planning Commission of India recognized the efforts of the college and students in its report. All students are members of Legal Aid Cells for a period of minimum two years. Every year each member has to conduct 4 minor programmes to create awareness and one major programme/project for each legal aid cell. V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Goa won the “Legal Aid Best Performer” award at the 4th National Symposium & Awards ceremony held on 9th January 2021, organized by the Droit Penale Group, A Unit of Arjun Das Gulati Memorial Society, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

(a) Reopening of cells
The Legal Aid Society began functioning for this academic year with an orientation/ brainstorming / leadership session for the students in charge of the legal aid cells, by Director, Dr. Shaber Ali on 3rd October 2020. The Cells reopened virtually on 10th October 2020 and officially closed on 8th May 2021. However, activities and programmes continued to be held.
(b) Permanent links.
Permanent google meet links were created to facilitate the weekly cell meetings.
(c) Orientation and introduction to legal aid for new members
To introduce legal aid to new members, an Orientation and introduction to legal aid session for SY DEG and TY BA LLB was done on 10 th October 2020 by associate director Pearl Monteiro.
(d) Cell allotment
Google forms were circulated to enable new members to join from 10th October to 16h October. The new members joined the various cells from 17th October. Second round of admission was held from 17th to 22nd October to cater to those who missed joining in the first round. The members admitted during the 2nd round admission joined from 24th October.
(e) Awards
V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Goa won the “Legal Aid Best Performer” award at the 4th National Symposium & Awards ceremony held on 9th January 2021, organized by the Droit
Penale Group, A Unit of Arjun Das Gulati Memorial Society, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The award was received virtually by Dr. Shaber Ali G Principal & Director of Legal Aid Society, and Ms. Pearl Monteiro (Associate Director). ‘Droit Penale Group’ is an initiative taken in the legal field to provide the discussions on minute nuances involved in the intricacies of law in a simple and qualified manner. The Arjun Das Gulati Memorial Society which is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, has catered to the objectives of Droit Penale Group. For the past two years consecutively, VM S C L Legal Aid Society received KNOWLEDGE STEEZ LEGAL AID AWARD 2018 and 2019, presented by Knowledge Steez, New Delhi for VMSCL Legal Aid Society for its commitment in community engagement
(f) Plan of Action
Students are informed and motivated to do any online legal aid activity, like giving information to schools, awareness programmes on legal areas like consumer, women, children.

(g) Activities Conducted
In addition to regular weekly online meetings. Adapting to the novel situation as demanded by the pandemic, following the new norms of online activities and programs, the Cells conducted various legal literacy programs by way of webinars. Some of which are online panel discussion on law on suicide, cybercrimes, road traffic, animal rights, labour laws, children’s rights, women’s rights and human rights. Covid related information pertaining to vaccination, testing, medication, hospital facilities etc was also disseminated. Students helped people who don’t have access to the internet to book online slots for vaccination. A few of the prominent programmes are as detailed below, for further information, the individual cell reports may be referred to.

1. Merces Free Legal Aid Cell organized a webinar on 24th October. It was an online panel discussion on law on suicide. The panellists were Dr. Siddha Pujari ex. Principal Dhempe College, Ms. Afshan Sayed, Principal of St. Michael Higher Secondary, and Adv. Harsha Naik.
2. Slogan writing competition on theme “Role of Legal Aid in Promoting Welfare of People” was conducted on 28th October 2020 and the five best slogans were submitted to Slogan writing competition for College students organized by the North Goa District Services Authority. All prizes were won by the College.
3. The Socorro Legal Aid Cell has organised a webinar titled “Fighting Cyber Crimes in 2020″ 7th November. The speakers for the event have first hand experience in the field of cyber crime and cyber laws Adv. Vitthal Naik and Inspector Rajesh Job.
4. The Merces Legal Aid Cell has organised a minor programme titled ” Cyber Crime and social media ” on 7th November.
5. Bandora free legal aid cell organised an online poster making competition between 14th to 16th November for children from std 5 to 10.
6. Porvorim Legal Aid cell organized a webinar on Laws affecting organized and unorganized sectors: challenges and a way forward on 22nd November. The resource persons were advocates Suhas Naik and Prashant Agarwal.
7. The Guirim Legal Aid cell organized a webinar titled “Road Traffic Discipline” on 24 November 2020 The speaker for the event was Mr. Minash Tar (Asst. Director of transport).
8. Calangute legal aid cell organized webinar to spread awareness on Domestic Violence, on 26th November Dr Sabina Martins and advocate Chandan Shirodkar were the resource persons.
9. The Porvorim Legal Aid Cell and Moot Court Society of VMSCL is giving an opportunity to the avid mooter in its students to hone their skills by organising a Webinar on The Fundamentals of Mooting On Monday, 30th November by the CEO & COO of Memo Pundits.
10. The Bicholim Legal Aid Cell has organised a webinar on “Traffic Road Safety” On sunday 29th nov 2020, The speaker for the event is shri Tukaram Shetmandrekar Asst. Sub inspector
11. Mala Legal Aid Cell organized a webinar on observance of International Day of Disabled persons on December 3rd which is observed as a National Disability Day , a day , to help the society become more compassionate and understanding of the challenges faced by people with special needs . the resource persons were Mr. Avelino De Sa President DAAG and Mr. Guruprasad Pawaskar Chairman Sanjay School.
12. Taleigao Free Legal Aid Cell organized webinar on “Human Rights” Speaker Ex PDJ. and Member GHRC Desmond D’costa on 10th December 2020
13. Mala Legal Aid Cell organized a Poster Making Competition, on the Theme : Right To Vote, On the Occasion Of ZP Elections.
14. Moira Legal Aid Cell held a webinar on awareness on Animal Rights and Laws on 10th December 2020 speakers Sonia Smart & Apurva Naik
15. St. Cruz Legal Aid Cell held webinar titled Impact of Covid on Women & Children – *Psychological & Legal Perspective on 12th December 2020, Speaker- Karl Pinto Desouza
16. The Curca Legal Aid Cell held a Webinar on the topic ” Stop Suicide” and ” Right to Information” on 18th December 2020, Guest Speaker : Adv. Pundalik Raiker
17. The Vasco Free Legal Aid Cell held a webinar on the topic POCSO and Sexual Harassment 18th December 2020, Keynote speakers, Ms. Juliana Lohar & Adv. Arun Pandey
18. The Curca Legal Aid Cell conducted for a webinar on the topic ” Stop Suicide” and ” Right to Information” on 20th December 2020, Guest Speaker : Adv. Pundalik Raiker
19. The Curca Legal Aid Cell held a Webinar on the topic “Stop Drug Abuse” on 21st December 2020 with Key Note Guest Speaker : Dr. Rajesh Dhume
20. Siolim Free Legal conducted a webinar on lecture on “Go Green with your menstruation: let’s care for our Health and Environment” on 21th December 2020, resource person Ms.
Kajal Kerkar Revankar, research scholar, Department of Women’s Studies, Goa University
21. The Marcela Free Legal Legal Aid Cell conducted a webinar on Women Empowerment on 24 December 2020, the resource person was Adv. Neela Navelkar
22. The Marcela Free Legal Legal Aid Cell conducted a webinar on Right to Information Act on 26 December 2020, the resource person was Adv. Navdeep Aguiar
23. Bandora Free Legal Aid conducted an interactive webinar on “Police And Public Relations” on 27th dec. 2020 the chief guest Mr. Manoj Mardolkar, PI in Human Rights Commission
24. The Bastora Free Legal Legal Aid Cell conducted a webinar on Land Laws in in Goa: A talk on Goa, Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964, Goa, Daman and Diu Buildings (Lease, Rent and Evictions) Control Act, 1968, Goa, Daman and Diu Mundkars (Protection from Eviction) Act, 1975. The Guest Speaker for the programme was distinguished Senior Counsel Sudin Usgaonkar on 28th December 2020
25. Bicholim Free Legal Aid Cell held a webinar on the topic “Drug Seizures In Goa” on 29th December 2020, keynote speaker Adv. Kamlakant alias Raju Poulekar
26. The Curca Legal Aid Cell organized a Webinar on the topic “Professional Ethics of Doctors” on 2nd January 2021 with Key Note Guest Speaker : Melwin Chagas Silva
27. Anjuna Free Legal Aid Cell hosted a webinar on lecture on * unwarranted arrest and human rights * on 8th January 2020. Resource person Adv. Raju Poulekar
28. Verem Free Legal Aid Cell hosted a webinar on lecture on * Importance of NGO’s* on 8th January 2020. Speaker Mrs. Sabina Martins Founder of Bailancho Saad
29. Valpoi Free Legal Aid Cell hosted a webinar on Mundkar And Tenancy Act In Goa. The Speaker for the event was Rahul Desai, Mamlatdar, Tiswadi – Goa on 9th January 2021
30. Mapusa Free Legal Aid Cell held a webinar on “Family Law of Goa in relation with Marriage & Divorce.” The speaker was Sr. Adv. Saresh D. Lotlikar. (Former AG of Goa)
on 09 January 2021
31. Sanquelim Legal Aid Cell held an interactive webinar on topic ” Rights Of Women In Goa” special emphasis on The Property Rights of Women in Goa and The Special Protection for Women under Various Laws. The Guest Speaker for this webinar was Adv. Swati Kerkar on 10th January 2021
32. Moira Legal Aid Cell hosted a webinar on Adoption Laws. The Speaker for the event was Adv. Lida Joao, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee South Goa on 12th January 2021
33. Mala Free Legal Aid Cell conducted a Meme Competition on the Theme: Online Classes on 20th
January 2021
34. Mapusa Free Legal Aid Cell delivered Talk On Schemes For Women In Goa on 7 th April 2021 to The Women Of Jai Santoshi Maa Self Help Group, Colvale
35. Mala Free Legal Aid Cell conducted Observation of International Earth Day through discussions on Environment Protection Laws with a Follow up discussion on Environment Protection Laws on 22nd April and 29 May 2021
36. Guirim Free Legal Aid Cell conducted Webinar on Participatory Planning Process at Village Panchayat Level on 23rd April 2021
37. Old Goa conducted an Online talk on Cybercrimes and Cyber laws with Guest Speaker Advocate Eeshan Usapkar on 14th May 2021
38. Curca Free Legal Aid Cell conducted Webinar on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (“POSH Act”) , on 22nd May 2021
39. Moira conducted a programme on ‘Vaccination – A Ray of Hope’ on 28th May 2021
40. Mandrem Free Legal Aid Cell conducted Webinar on women empowerment and stock market on 29th May 2021
41. Margao Free Legal Aid Cell Conducted online webinar on ‘The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967’ By Adv. Madhukar Dalvi on 30th May 2021
42. Vasco Free Legal Aid Cell Conducted online webinar “Role of CZMP in Effective Coastal Protection” on 2nd July 2021 Shri. Sujeetkumar Dongre, Expert Member GCZMA, was the keynote speaker. Dr. M.K Ramesh, Professor of Law, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, chaired the webinar and delivered opening remarks on the topic “The genesis, philosophy and effectiveness of the CZMP Notification”. Principal Dr. Shaber Ali G inaugurated the same.