Srinagar, Feb 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the crucial role of the Tele-Law initiative in expanding access to justice and reducing court burdens, especially for residents of rural and remote areas.

Speaking at a Regional Workshop on Tele-Law at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), organized under the Central Sector Scheme DISHA by the Ministry of Law & Justice, he stressed connecting more pro-bono lawyers to ensure timely and affordable legal support. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh Arun Palli, and senior officials also participated.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Tele-Law resolves disputes before they escalate into litigation, reducing unnecessary court cases. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he remarked, emphasizing that rural populations often lack awareness of their legal rights.
Since its launch, the scheme has expanded from two to 20 districts in J&K, covering over 4,000 panchayats and providing more than 7.5 lakh legal advices. Omar Abdullah noted that success depends on assessing impact relative to population and learning from best practices elsewhere.
He also praised the role of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in delivering Tele-Law services, providing work opportunities while facilitating access to justice. Strengthening the initiative, he said, will help reach more citizens and ease the burden on courts.