In a landmark initiative that reinforces Odisha’s commitment to justice, gender equity, and inclusive governance, the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is set to introduce a Para-Legal Volunteer (PLV) framework in every Gram Panchayat (GP) to strengthen women’s access to legal remedies and institutional support.
The initiative — spearheaded by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan — aims to bridge the long-standing gap between rural women and formal justice systems, ensuring that no woman in Odisha is left unheard, unsupported, or unaware of her legal rights.
A Vision for Inclusive Legal Empowerment
Addressing reporters in Bhubaneswar, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the government is actively working on deploying trained para-legal volunteers across all panchayats of Odisha to assist women facing domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based atrocities.
“They will be the first support system for victims — guiding them on how to navigate the legal process, assisting in filing complaints with local police stations or courts, and helping them access the justice they deserve,” Harichandan said.
The minister emphasised that a large number of cases — particularly in rural and tribal belts — go unreported due to social stigma, lack of awareness, and absence of support structures. The PLVs, he said, would fill that crucial void by bringing legal awareness and empathy to the grassroots.
A Collaborative Approach with Women and Child Development Department
The proposal was formally discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women and Child Development Pravati Parida, in the presence of Law Minister Harichandan and officials from the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA).
Both departments agreed to jointly roll out the initiative, recognising the interlinked nature of legal empowerment, gender justice, and community well-being.
“This will not be a mere administrative measure — it’s a moral mission to ensure justice reaches every doorstep,” Harichandan said after the meeting.
Empowering Women Through Awareness and Access
The para-legal volunteers, once appointed, will act as community legal educators and first responders, sensitising women about their rights under key legislations such as:
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act,
- The Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, and
- The Legal Services Authorities Act, among others.
An additional proposal to integrate Anganwadi workers with the PLV network has also been floated. These workers, already embedded in rural communities, will assist PLVs in conducting awareness camps, workshops, and door-to-door sensitisation programmes, ensuring that legal knowledge becomes a part of everyday discourse in rural Odisha.
Harichandan’s Reformist Push for Accessible Justice
Since assuming office, Minister Harichandan has been instrumental in modernising Odisha’s justice delivery ecosystem, emphasising digital accessibility, citizen legal awareness, and institutional transparency.
Under his direction, the Law Department has initiated several key reforms:
- Digitisation of case monitoring systems for faster tracking of pending cases,
- Community legal outreach programmes in tribal and backward districts, and
- Strengthening of Lok Adalats and legal aid cells to ensure quicker dispute resolution.
“Justice is not just a court process; it is a right that must be accessible, understandable, and humane,” Harichandan remarked during an earlier address at the State Legal Services Week.
Towards a Just and Empowered Odisha
The proposed PLV initiative aligns with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s broader vision of “Nyaay, Niti, and Nari Shakti” — Justice, Policy, and Women’s Empowerment.
By decentralising legal awareness and embedding trained volunteers within local governance structures, Odisha is setting a progressive precedent for participatory justice that other states may soon emulate.
This initiative is also expected to reduce case under-reporting, improve timely intervention, and foster a culture of legal confidence among rural women, particularly those from marginalised communities.
Conclusion: Justice Begins at the Grassroots
With Prithviraj Harichandan’s leadership at the helm, Odisha’s Law Department is moving beyond courtroom reforms to build a justice system rooted in empathy, awareness, and accessibility.
By empowering women through knowledge and support networks, the government is not only addressing legal exclusion but also strengthening the very fabric of democracy at the grassroots level.
As the initiative takes shape, Odisha stands poised to become a model state for women-centric legal empowerment, driven by Harichandan’s visionary governance and Chief Minister Majhi’s people-first philosophy.