CJI Launches NALSA Mobile App
CJI Launches NALSA Mobile App
Recently, the Chief Justice of India has released the vision and mission statement of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Legal Services App.
The Vision and Mission Statement issued encapsulates the vision of the ‘National Legal Services Authority’. This approach includes promoting an inclusive legal system and ensuring fair and meaningful justice for the marginalized and disadvantaged sections.
Legal Services Mobile Application includes facilities like seeking legal aid, legal advice and lodging of other complaints.
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Its purpose is to provide free legal services to weaker sections and organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
- Article 39A was incorporated by the Government in the year 1976 through the 42nd Amendment Act. This act directs the state to provide free legal aid through suitable legislation or schemes. Subsequently, the Indian Parliament passed the Legal Services Authority Act 1987 in the year 1987.
Barriers to access to legal services:
- The formal judicial process is delaying and costly.
- Due to the digital divide and low level of connectivity, rural areas have not been able to harmonize with the virtual mode of functioning of courts since the spread of the corona pandemic.
- Increase in cases of custodial torture and police atrocities due to lack of effective legal representation in police stations despite the guarantees provided by the Constitution.
- Lack of awareness about legal services and legal representation.
Persons eligible to receive free legal services include the following:
- Women and children.
- Members of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
- Industrial workers.
- People who are victims of human trafficking or trafficked as beggars.
- People affected by mass calamities, violence, floods, droughts etc.
- People affected by earthquake, industrial disaster etc.
- Disabled people.
- Detained person.
- If the matter is before the Supreme Court, then a person earning an annual income of less than Rs.5 lakh.
Note- The eligibility for free legal aid of senior citizens depends on the rules made by the respective state governments in this regard.
Source – The Hindu
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