Setting up stall of National Legal Aid Services Organization for the first time at Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Feb 12, 2025 (BSS) - National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) this year added a new dimension in providing services by setting up stalls for the first time at Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

"Following the direction of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, we have set up two stalls, No. 1089 and No. 1090, at the book fair this year. We have given free legal advice to 720 people from the two stalls so far (11 February)," said NLASO Director Mohammad Al Mamun.

The NLASO director further said anyone can avail their services from the legal aid officers at the stalls from 3pm to 9pm on working days and from 11am to 9pm on the holidays.
    
"With the aim of raising awareness among the huge number of readers and visitors at the book fair, a district legal aid officer equivalent to the rank of a senior assistant judge, and a legal aid panel lawyer remain posted at each of the stalls every day and give legal services," he added.

Apart from providing free legal aid, posters, stickers, pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and other publications are being distributed from the NLASO stalls.

Besides, Bangladesh Code published by Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division and different legal journals and important publications from Judicial Administrative Training Institute (JATI) are being showcased at the book fair as well.

The NLASO is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to adopt policies and principles for making legal services available under the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000.

Any poor person is entitled to get free legal aid services. Besides, any individual receiving old-age allowance, distressed mother holding a VGD card, women and children victims of trafficking and acid throwing, insolvent widow, abandoned or distressed woman, disabled person and poor detainee can avail of the free legal services.