Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated 19 mobile vans named 'Chetana Sathi' for enhancement and extension of awareness in legal matters and for providing free legal service to the common people in each district of West Bengal.
The inauguration ceremony was held in front of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly building.
Describing it as a "historic step", state law minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said Rs 1.20 crore was being allocated for the purpose and the move by the state Judicial Department would help those who could not afford legal costs and were thus deprived.
In 2013, the state cabinet had decided to set up 88 permanent fast-track courts to deliver speedy justice to litigants, particularly women, who were victims of crime.
The state government has also set up 65 police stations entirely run by women police to deal with crimes against women.
