Special features of the organization
RLEK has derived its nomenclature from its deep rooted work of supporting rural people in claiming their legal, constitutional and human rights based entitlements to land, property, non-polluting environment. In its efforts to provide requisite succour to the rural populace in acquiring legal and political emancipation, RLEK has been invoking the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India and the various High Courts of India on many occasions. RLEK s successful sequels of winning Public Interest Litigations asserting the legal entitlements of rural people speaks in volumes of its determination for supporting the rural population in emerging as legally and empowered citizens of the Republic of India alike everyone else. In recognition of its relentless efforts United Nation s Economic and Social Council in July 2008 RLEK is accredited with Special Consultative Status with Economic and Social Council of United Nations for having special competence in empowering Indigenous Groups, Marginalized Population, Women and Children in claiming their entitlements. It has successfully fought for communities in the courts of justice which paved the way for enactment of laws to end the widespread violation of Human rights i.e. Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976; Environment Protection Act, 1986; and Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988. , , Padmashree Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, RLEK fighting for the cause of deprived society for the past more than four decades, has been conferred with the 11th Nani Palkhivala Civil Liberties Award on 16th January 2014. , Imaan India samman Award- 2012, for the untiring efforts to bring a positive Social Change in India by, Dr. S.Y Quraishi , Sujana Excellence Award - 2012, in the field of Poverty Alleviation & Rural Development by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan , RLEK is accredited with Special Consultative Status with Economic and Social Council of United Nations for having special competence in empowering Indigenous Groups, Marginalized Population, Women and Children in claiming their entitlements in 2008. , SKOCH Challengers Award for Education in 2009 for its innovative and excellent work for teaching the nomads in the wild. , G.D. Birla International Award for Rural Upliftment in 2005 by the Vice-President of India. , SKOCH award for the Grassroots Man of the Year, 2005 by the Deputy Chairman of the Indian Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia. , The Panna Dhai Award by the Maharana Mewar Foundation in 2004. , The Week bestowed on Mr. Avdhash Kaushal the honour of being The Man of the Year 2003, describing him as the Rejuvenator of the Doon Valley, Terminator of bonded labour and Saviour of nomads . , Chairperson RLEK, is also the Chairperson of the Structure & Mechanism for Convergence of Different Programmes with the Proposed Sakshar Bharat Programme , the Task Force with the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; Ministry of Rural Development; Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Ministry of Minority Affairs, as members.
