Refresher Course on Mediation for Referral Judges and Trained Mediators was organized by Sikkim SLSA at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok on 14th October, 2016.

> The programme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur, Judge, Supreme Court of India & Member, Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee, Supreme Court of India in the august presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Satish Kumar Agnihotri, Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim and Patron-in-Chief, Sikkim SLSA/Chairperson, High Court Mediation Monitoring Committee, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim and Executive Chairperson of Sikkim SLSA/Judge-in-Charge, High Court Mediation Monitoring Committee and Shri A.K. Ghatani, Hon’ble Minister, Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim.

> Judicial Officers of all the Districts, Senior Advocates, Panel Lawyers of Sikkim SLSA, Officers from the various Departments and Para-Legal Volunteers attended the programme.

> The said course was attended by 11 Nos. of Referral Judges and 27 Nos. of Advocate Mediators and the same was conducted by Dr. Sudhir Kumar Jain and Shri Vinay Kumar Gupta, Trained Mediators from Mediation & Conciliation Project Committee, Supreme Court, New Delhi.

> An animated film on ‘mediation’ was released during the inaugural function of Refresher Course on Mediation for Referral Judges and Trained Mediators organized by Sikkim SLSA at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok on 14th October, 2016 by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur, Judge, Supreme Court of India & Member, Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee, Supreme Court of India. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Satish Kumar Agnihotri, Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim and Patron-in-Chief, Sikkim SLSA/Chairperson, High Court Mediation Monitoring Committee, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim and Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA/Judge-in-Charge, High Court Mediation Monitoring Committee also graced the occasion.

Sensitization Programme with regard to “Rules to provide for Registration and Solemnization of a form of Marriage in Sikkim” on Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872

> A sensitization programme with regard to “Rules to provide for Registration and Solemnization of a form of Marriage in Sikkim” on Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 and Notification No. 1520/H dated 03.01.1963 was organized by Sikkim SLSA on 12th November, 2016 at Conference Hall of Sikkim SLSA Office. In total approximately 92 Deacons, Elders and Pastors of various Churches from across the State attended the programme. Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA was the Resource Person.

> In coordination with the Education Department the Sikkim SLSA has been instrumental in spreading awareness about the harmful effects and its precautionary measures on POCSO and Drug abuse amongst the students in all the schools of Sikkim by forming a special team comprising of Panel Advocates along with Officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, C.I.D. Branch and Social Welfare Department who were directed to visit each school and generate awareness in all the four Districts of Sikkim. Out of 179 Senior Secondary and Secondary Schools as per the details provided by the Human Resource Development Department, 111 Schools have been covered so far.

Sensitization Programme with regard to “Rules to provide for Registration and Solemnization of a form of Marriage in Sikkim” on Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872

> Sikkim SLSA in co-ordination with District Legal Services Authority, West Sikkim at Gyalshing organized a Sensitization Programme on Registration of marriages for different religious communities in Sikkim on 10th June, 2017 in the Auditorium of Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School, Gyalshing, West Sikkim.

> The programme was chaired by Hon’ble Mrs Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA along with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan, Judge, High Court of Sikkim.

> Mr. N.Rai, Senior Advocate along with Panel Advocates Mr. Tashi Rapten Barfungpa and Mr. Umesh Ranpal were the Resource Persons wherein 400 participants were in attendance.

Academy Quiz Competition

> Sikkim SLSA conducted a Quiz Contest as a part of a programme for Continuing Legal Education and Professional Development on 19th August, 2017 in the Auditorium of the High Court of Sikkim, Gangtok.

> The preliminary rounds of the quiz contest were held in each district. Mr. N. Rai, Senior Advocate, High Court of Sikkim and Mr. S.S. Hamal, Panel Advocate were the Quiz Masters in the preliminary rounds conducted for the East District at Gangtok on 31st July, 2017. Mr. Suraj Chettri, District & Sessions Judge, South at Namchi & Chairman, DLSA (South) was the Quiz Master in the preliminary rounds for the South District at Namchi on 1st August, 2017 and Ms. Subarna Rai, Chief Judicial Magistrate, West at Gyalshing & Secretary, DLSA (West) at Gyalshing was the Quiz Master in the preliminary rounds conducted for the West District at Gyalshing on 1st August, 2017.

> Students from Sikkim University (Gangtok), Sikkim Government Law College (Gangtok), Harkamaya College of Education (Tadong), Loyola College of Education (Namchi), National Institute of Technology (Ravangla), Sikkim Government College (Gyalshing) and Panel Advocates from the Namchi Bar Association (South district) participated in the preliminary rounds of the Quiz Contest.

> Out of the 31 participating teams, 11 teams qualified for the final rounds held on 19th August, 2017 in the Auditorium of High Court of Sikkim, Gangtok. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Pius C. Kuriakose, Lokayukta, Kerela and former Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim was the Quiz Master.

> The final round of the Academic Quiz Contest was graced with the presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.K. Agnihotri, Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim/Patron-in Chief, Sikkim SLSA, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim and Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA, Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.P. Subba, former Judge, High Court of Sikkim, Mrs. Mercy Grace Kuriakose, Mr. Jagat Rai, Secretary of Law Department, Senior Advocates, Panel Advocates, College Students and the members of Press and Media.

> The winners of the first, second and third positions were awarded with cash prize of R15,000/-, R12,000/- and R8,000/- respectively along with certificates. All the other participants received Certificate of Appreciation.

Sensitization Programme for the Panel Advocates below 8 Years of Practice on the Cross-Examination of Witness

> Under the direction of Hon’ble Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA organized a Sensitization Programme on the art and requirements of Cross-Examination for Panel Advocates of all the four districts of Sikkim on 14th October, 2017.

> The inaugural function of the sensitization programme was chaired by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA.

> Mr. N. Rai, Senior Advocate, High Court of Sikkim and Mr. U.P. Sharma, Panel Advocate were the Resource Persons. A total of 66 nos. of Panel Advocates participated in the programme.

Training & Sensitization Programme For Prisons Officials on Their Function, Duties, Responsibilities and Vis-À-Vis the Rights of the Prisoners

> In pursuance to the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dated 15.09.2017 issued in Re-Inhuman Conditions in 1382 Prisons, W.P. (C) No. 406 of 2013, Sikkim SLSA conducted training and sensitization programme for the Prison Officials of State Central Prison, Rongyek, East Sikkim and District Prison, Boomtar, South Sikkim on 25.11.2017.

> Mr. Suraj Chettri, District & Sessions Judge, South Sikkim at Namchi & Chairman, DLSA (South) at Namchi and Mr. Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, Panel Advocate were the Resource Persons. The programmed was conducted in the Training Hall of Sikkim SLSA office at Gangtok. The prison authorities were sensitized on their roles, duties and responsibilities vis-a-vis rights of the prisoners wherein 22 nos. of participants attended the programme.

Sensitization Programme for the Panel Advocates below 8 Years of Practice on the Cross-Examination of Witness

> Training and Sensitization Programme for the Panel Advocates below 8 years of practice was organized by Sikkim SLSA on March 31, 2018 in the Auditorium of the High Court of Sikkim, Gangtok wherein 57 nos. of Panel Advocates from all the four districts attended the said programme.

> The Resource Persons for the programme were Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA who apprised the participants on Cross-Examination, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan, Judge, High Court of Sikkim who spoke on Remand/Bail and Mr. Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, Panel Advocate on Juvenile Justice.

Construction of a Drug De-Addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Centre at Kitchudumra, South Sikkim

> The Sikkim SLSA pursued with the State Government for construction of a Drug De-Addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Centre at Kitchudumra, South Sikkim along with Vocational/Livelihood Centre in the same locality for skill development of inmates. The object of the Drug De-Addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Centre is to provide counseling for de-addiction, after care and rehabilitation for Whole Person Recovery (WPR) of addicts to make a person drug free, crime free and gain full employment, to facilitate research, training, documentation and collection of relevant information amongst children including street children, adolescents/youths, dependent women and young girls affected by substance abuse and prison inmates in detention facilities including children in Juvenile Homes addicted to drugs.

> The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the Centre was on 07.07.2018, which was laid by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, the then Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim and Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA in the presence of Shri K.N. Rai, Hon’ble Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly and Smt. Tulsi Devi Rai, Hon’ble Minister, Social Justice, Empowerment & Welfare Department. The completion period is 18 months and the work has commenced from 19.09.2018.

Counseling in the prisons

> To sensitize parents of UTPs arrested under SADA, 2006 that addiction is to be recognized as any other health problem and to build a parental bond with their children, the Sikkim SLSA also organized a counseling programme for such UTPs on 19th May, 2018 (Saturday) attended by parents of the UTPs at the State Central Prison, Rongyek, East Sikkim and at District Prison, Boomtar, South Sikkim on 21st July, 2018.

“Lecture On The Importance Of Fundamental Duties As Envisaged In Article 51a Of The Constitutional Of India” For The Students Along With The Teacher-In-Charge Of The Legal Literacy Clubs Of The Schools Of East District.

> Sikkim State Legal Services Authority under the directions of Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim & Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA organized an awareness programme for Legal Literacy Clubs in Schools located in the East District on the importance of Fundamental Duties as envisaged in Article 51A of the Constitution of India on 4th August, 2018 in the Auditorium of High Court of Sikkim.

> Shri Tashi Rapten Barfungpa and Shri Zangpo Sherpa were the Resource Persons.

> The students along with their teachers-in-charge from (i) Tashi Namgyal Academy, (ii) Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School, (iii) Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, (iv) Modern Senior Secondary School, (v) Enchey Senior Secondary School, (vi) West Point Senior Secondary School, (vii) Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School and (viii) Tadong Senior Secondary School attended the awareness programme. A total of 142 nos. of students attended the programme.

Debate Competition of Schools Student & Law College/Universities

> As per the directions of Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim & Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA and NALSA’s Guidelines for Establishment and Functioning of Legal Literacy Clubs in Schools, a debate competition was held on the topic “Whether farmers should adopt Organic Farming or continue with Conventional Method of Farming” for the students of Legal Literacy Clubs in Schools on 25th August, 2018 at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok.

> Senior Advocates Shri A. Moulik, Shri B. Sharma, Shri S. Anbalagan, Executive Director, Sikkim Organic Mission, Horticulture, Cash Crops & Development Department and Shri M.K. Pradhan, Additional Executive Director, Sikkim Organic Mission, Horticulture, Cash Crops & Development Department were the Judges of the debate competition.

> 16 Speakers from Legal Literacy Club in Schools viz; (i) Paljor Girls Senior Secondary School, (ii) Tashi Namgyal Academy, (iii) Enchey Senior Secondary School, (iv) Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, (v) Modern Senior Secondary School, (vi) Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, (vii) West Point Senior Secondary School and (viii) Tadong Senior Secondary School participated in the debate competition. Total of 308 nos. attended the programme.

> The winners of the first, second and third positions were awarded with cash prize of Rs. 6,000/-, Rs. 4,000/- and Rs. 2,000/- respectively along with certificates. All the other participants received Certificate of Appreciation.

Debate Competition of Schools Student & Law College/Universities

> As per the directions of Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim & Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA and NALSA (Legal Aid Clinics in Universities, Law Colleges and Other Institution) Scheme, 2013 a debate competition on the topic “Whether it is appropriate to bring back Right to Property into the Domain of Fundamental Rights under Article 19(f) or should only be recognized as a legal right as provided under 300A of our Constitution” for the students of Sikkim Government Law College, Sikkim University and ICFAI University was conducted by Sikkim SLSA on 29th September, 2018 in the Auditorium of High Court of Sikkim, Gangtok.

> Shri N. Rai, Senior Advocate, Shri S.S. Hamal and Shri Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, Panel Advocates of Sikkim SLSA were the Judges of the debate competition.

> 15 speakers had participated during the competition from Sikkim Government Law College, Sikkim University and ICFAI University. Total of 15 nos. attended the programme.

> The winners of the first, second and third positions were awarded with cash prize of Rs. 10,000/-, Rs. 8,000/- and Rs. 5,000/- respectively along with certificates. All the other participants received Certificate of Appreciation.

Training Programme for Counselors of All De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centres Of Sikkim

> The Sikkim State Legal Services Authority under the direction and guidance of Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, the Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim and Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA organized a Three Days Training Programme on Managing Substance Use Disorders: An Overview” for the Counselors of Rehabilitation and De-Addiction Centres of Sikkim.

> The training programme was held on 06th October, 2018, 13th October, 2018 and 27th October, 2018 in the Training Hall of Sikkim State Legal Services Authority, Development Area, Gangtok.

> The Resource Persons for the said programmes were Ms. Shalinta Rai and Mrs. Nancy Chankapa, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatry Department, S.T.N.M Hospital, Government of Sikkim.

> The topics that were deliberated during the said programmes were substance (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) use and substance related problems and its management, Mental Status Examination of Individuals with Substance use Disorders, Case History taking of Substance Use Disorders, Post Assessment for assessing the level of knowledge regarding substance use and substance related problems and its management, Motivation and Treatment in Substance user Disorders and Co-Morbidities of Substance use Disorders. An Informal Quiz/Information on Substance use Disorders, Epidemiology and its Management was also conducted.

World Mental Health Day

> On the occasion of World Mental Health Day and under the NALSA (Legal Services to the Mentally Ill and Mentally Disabled Persons) Scheme, 2015, the Sikkim SLSA in co-ordination with the Sikkim State Branch of the Indian Psychiatry Society (SSB-IPS) launched a series of positive mental health programmes to increase mental well-being in the work place for the employees of various departments starting with the Police Department on 10th October, 2018 in the Auditorium of Sikkim Judicial Academy, Sokeythang, East Sikkim.The inaugural function of the programme was attended by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan, Judge, High Court of Sikkim & Judge-in-Charge, Sikkim Judicial Academy as the ‘Chief Guest’.

> Dr. C.L. Pradhan, Senior Psychiatrist/General Secretary, SSB-IPS, Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare Department and Mrs. Nancy P. Chankapa, Clinical Psychologist, Health Care, Human Services & Family Welfare Department were the Resource Persons.

Sensitization Programme For the Senior Citizens & Retired Government Employees in Co-Ordination with DLSA, North

> Under the guidance and directions of Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim & Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA and also under the NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016, a sensitization programme for the Senior Citizens and Retired Government Employees was organized by Sikkim SLSA in co-ordination with District Legal Services Authority, North Sikkim on 03rd November, 2018 at Panchayat Bhawan, Chungthang, North Sikkim.

> The programme was chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vijai Kumar Bist, Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim & Patron-in-Chief, Sikkim SLSA and Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim & Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA and the same was attended by Judicial Officers of North District, Officials from various departments of North Sikkim, Dzumsa members, Retired employees, Panchayats and students.

> The Resource Persons for the said programme were Mr. K.D. Shangderpa, Senior Superintendent of Police (North), Mr. Norden Lepcha, Joint Director, SJE&WD (North) and Mr. Liladhar Ghimirey, FRED (East) Pension Division AO-cum-DDO.

> A total of 200 participants attended the programme.

From October 2018, onwards

> Under the initiative of Sikkim SLSA, to avoid embarrassment of the victims of POCSO and sexual offences a separate dedicated cell for examination of such victims in the newly constructed Multi Specialty Hospital at Sochagang and in all the four District Hospitals of Sikkim with attachment of female medical Doctor has been provided.

Counseling in the prisons:

> Psychiatrist from STNM Hospital, Gangtok visits the State Central Prison once a week. Counselors from the Department of Psychiatry, Manipal Hospital are also providing counseling to the above inmates at the State Central Prison. For District Prison, Boomtar, South Sikkim, as there are no Psychiatrists available in the District, a Psychiatrist has been deputed from STNM Hospital, Gangtok to provide counseling to the UTPs arrested under the Sikkim Anti Drugs Act, 2006 (SADA, 2006) once a month.

> On the request of Jagriti Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, Sichey, Gangtok, East Sikkim, for providing a Psychiatrist for the substance abusers housed therein, the Sikkim SLSA has intervened and a Psychiatrist (Dr. C.L. Pradhan) of Government Hospital, Gangtok has been deputed to the Centre since October, 2018 who visits once a month.

RETAINER LAWYERS WERE APPOINTED VIDE NOTIFICATION NO.210/SLSA/796 DATED 17TH APRIL, 2019 FOR SIKKIM SLSA/HCLSC AND ALL THE DLSAs

> Name of the Retainer Lawyer: Ms. Navtara Sarda Retainer Lawyer, HCLSC/SLSA, East and Ms. Kamala Giri Retainer Lawyer, DLSA East.

> Activities carried out:

> Visited Subha Laxmi Shelter Home, Chandmari. At present 03 Children are staying at Shelter Home.The Doctors visits their Home on regular basis.

> Visited Child Welfare Institute, Bojoghari that is also known as Child Care Institute Home. At present their were 26 minor girls residing out of which 7 were victims of sexual harassment whose case are pending in the court.

> Visited Swadhar Ghareh Mamtalaya. At present their were 16 students. They also have Family Counseling Centre & Specialize Adoption Agency under the supervision of the Social Justice Department.

> She also visited Spastic Society at Syari. There were 95 students (60 out of which 35 Children were commute form their Home residing on the said Home).

Awareness/Sensitization Programme By Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court Of Sikkim/Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA

> Awareness/Sensitization Programme on POCSO, Domestic Violence, Maintenance & Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, JJ Act, 2015 and Adoption in terms of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 was conducted on 03.05.2019 at Zilla Panchayat Bhawan, Chungthang, North Sikkim, wherein, the Resource Persons were Shri Suraj Chettri, Member Secretary and Shri Sonam Palden Bhutia, District & Sessions Judge, North at Mangan.

> The said programme was chaired by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim/Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA.Interaction on 04.05.2019 with Pipons & Village Elders of Zumsa, Lachung, North Sikkim on the topics Domestic Violence Act and POCSO was chaired by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge, High Court of Sikkim/Executive Chairperson, Sikkim SLSA.

Sensitization Programme on “Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 with special focus in Medical Examination of Victims”

> A Sensitization Programme on “Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 with special focus in Medical Examination of Victims” for Special Judges, Medical Officers, Special Juvenile Police Units, Investigation Officers, District Child Protection Officers &Gynecologist was held on 24th May, 2019 at Sikkim Judicial Academy, Sokeythang, East Sikkim.

> The Resource Persons for the programme were Dr. Rajeev Seth, Project Lead ICPMPN, I-CANCL Group, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Shaibya Saldanha, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Bangaluru, Co-Founder Enfold Trust and Dr. Mani Gurung, Addl. Director-cum-Consultant Gynecologist, HC,HS & FW Department.

> The said programme was attended by 61 nos. of participants.

BULK SMS

> The Sikkim SLSA under the direction of Hon’ble Executive Chairperson has initiated a process of BULK SMS throughout the State regarding ‘Free Legal Aid’ through various network providers. In the first phase on 30.05.2019, all Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) network subscribers have received the message regarding ‘Free Legal Aid’.

Hoardings

> In view of the Campaign/Project to be conducted during observance of Legal Services Day under Hoarding in Public places the Sikkim SLSA has installed 308 such hoardings informing the message of free legal services throughout the state to the general public.

Awareness on POCSO and Drug Abuse

> For generating awareness on POCSO and Drug Abuse, illustrations on the information on Child Sexual Abuse and Drug Abuse has been printed in the first and last page of the exercise copies provided to the students of all the Government Schools of Sikkim free of cost.

> In coordination with the Education Department the Sikkim SLSA has been instrumental in spreading awareness about the harmful effects and its precautionary measures on POCSO and Drug abuse amongst the students in all the schools of Sikkim by forming a special team comprising of Panel Advocates along with Officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, C.I.D. Branch and Social Welfare Department who were directed to visit each school and generate awareness in all the four Districts of Sikkim. This programme commenced from August, 2016 which is a continuing process. Out of 179 Senior Secondary and Secondary Schools as per the details provided by the Human Resource Development Department, 111 Schools have been covered so far.

> Counseling and medical assistance is provided to the Children lodged in Homes where some of the children are victims of sexual abuse by Counselors, Clinical Psychologists and Gynecologists every second Saturdays of the month.

> The Colleges and Universities in the east District have also been availing the services of Counselors and Clinical Psychologist through the Sikkim SLSA for which conveyance, other arrangements are made by this Authority and monitored by Sikkim.

“Day Care and Counseling Centre”

> After much persuasion with the State Health Department a “Day Care and Counseling Centre” for recovering substance abuse outpatient treatment and post discharge follow-up and victims of POCSO has been provided in the Old STNM Hospital Complex which is under renovation and likely to commence shortly, This will be manned by a Coordinators and Councilors of the various Rehabilitation Centres.