Inclusive, Accessible Justice: A Pillar of Good Governance, Says CM Dhami

When Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took the podium at the recent Justice Access Summit, he didn’t just talk about policies – he spoke about people. He reminded the audience that the promise of democracy is hollow if the courts feel like a distant, exclusive club.

“Inclusive, accessible justice is the core of good governance,” he said, pausing briefly as if letting the words settle. For Dhami, that means tearing down the barriers that keep the most vulnerable – women, tribals, low‑income families, persons with disabilities – from getting a fair hearing.

He pointed to a handful of initiatives already underway in Uttarakhand: digital case‑filing kiosks set up in remote tehsils, mobile legal‑aid vans that pop up at village fairs, and a new “One‑Stop Justice” portal that lets citizens track their petitions in real time. “Technology isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline,” he added, with a quick smile that hinted at his optimism.

But Dhami was also candid about the challenges. He noted that the judiciary still wrestles with backlogs, and that many citizens remain unaware of their rights. “We can’t just build the tools and hope they’re used,” he warned. “We need to educate, to empower, to make the law feel less like a maze and more like a road you can walk down.”

To that end, the CM announced a partnership with local NGOs to run legal‑awareness camps in schools and community centers. He also pledged increased funding for fast‑track courts that specialize in family and land disputes – issues that often keep families in limbo for years.

Listeners, ranging from senior judges to young activists, responded with a mix of applause and thoughtful nods. Many echoed Dhami’s sentiment that justice must be a right you can actually claim, not just a principle written on paper.

In the end, Dhami’s message was clear: good governance isn’t just about roads, electricity, or revenue. It’s about a justice system that bends, adapts, and reaches out to every corner of the state, ensuring that nobody is left waiting in the shadows.