Justice NV Ramana Congratulates Legal Aid Authorities On 25th National Legal Services Day
Congratulating the legal aid functionaries for their sincere dedication on the 25th National Legal Services Day, Justice N.V Ramana, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman said, "Today is a historic day in the legal aid movement of India. This year marks the completion of 25 years since the establishment of the National Legal Services Authority. In recent times, we have...
Congratulating the legal aid functionaries for their sincere dedication on the 25th National Legal Services Day, Justice N.V Ramana, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman said, "Today is a historic day in the legal aid movement of India. This year marks the completion of 25 years since the establishment of the National Legal Services Authority. In recent times, we have faced numerous challenges, due to the pandemic. With the help of all of you, with innovative ideas, we attempted to overcome these problems. We could not have been successful in our endeavour without the wholehearted contribution of all the dedicated individuals who turn the constitutional vision of access to justice, into a reality. On this occasion, I express my deep appreciation for the continuing support from all Legal Services Institutions across the country."
The Legal Services Act of 1987 entitles women, children, SCs & STs, and Persons with Disabilities with free legal aid, irrespective of their income. This besides other categories of eligible persons including victims of natural & manmade disasters, victims of human trafficking, industrial workmen, and anybody with an annual income as prescribed the Central or State Governments . This makes around 75 percent of the country's population eligible for free legal aid.
The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 was enforced on 9th November 1995. In these last 25 years, Legal Services Authorities have gone strength to strength in creating a more inclusive justice system. Under the guidance of the NALSA, 36 State Legal Services Authorities, 658 District Legal Services Authorities, 2277 Taluka Legal Services Committees, 39 High Court Legal Services Authorities, 47,000 Panel Advocates, and 50,000 Para Legal Volunteers are working across the country to facilitate access to justice for all.
NALSA's vision of creating a justice delivery system that is accessible to the weak and marginalised sections is reflective in its various programmes ranging from the victim compensation schemes, Lok Adalats, Legal Services Clinics, and Social Justice Litigations.
These efforts are constantly evolving and adapting as per the current needs, exemplified best by the introduction of E-Lok Adalats during the ongoing pandemic.
In the last 5 years alone, Legal Services Authorities have provided legal aid and advice to close to 50 lakh beneficiaries.
On the occasion of Legal Services Day, various programmes were organised across the countries by SLSAs and DLSAs under the aegis of NALSA. These programmes were primarily targeted at the making people aware of the availability of free legal services and other functions of Legal services authorities. These were attended by Judicial officers, panel lawyers, PLVs and other Stakeholders. While the Delhi SLSA launched 9 projects for the marginalised sections, Chhattisgarh conducted 100 Legal Awareness Programmes, and Andhra Pradesh conducted a mega virtual Lok Adalat. In Arunachal Pradesh Nagaland, and Madhya Pradesh, Legal Awareness initiatives were undertaken to make the people aware of free legal aid services entitled to them, whereas Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Kerala organised a series of Webinars.
44 Legal Awareness camps were also conducted in Haryana. Several SLSAs also observed the celebrations in prisons, to make inmates aware about their legal rights.
Tracing The Journey of Legal Aid in Independent India
Legal Services Authorities have come a long way in India. On the occasion of NALSA's 25th Anniversary, here is tracing the journey of Legal Aid in Independent India :
Bombay Committee 1949 - the Committee on Legal Aid and Legal Advice was formed in Bombay to consider the question of granting legal aid in civil and criminal cases to persons with limited means.
Kerala Rules 1958 - Kerala enacted the Kerala Legal Aid (to the poor) Rules, which was way ahead of its time in terms of its outlook to legal aid. It provided for legal aid by representation in cases intended to safeguard the interests workers and tenants etc.
14th Report of the Law Commission of India 1958 - The report dealt with Reforms in the Administration of Justice and dedicated an entire chapter on legal aid
Central Govt Scheme of 1960 - The GoI prepared an outline for a legal aid scheme, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Bombay Committee. However the response of the states was not very encouraging, and they expressed their inability to allocate any funds for it.
Third All India Lawyers Conference 1962 - The Third All India Lawyers conference made many important recommendations on Legal Aid including viewing the provision of legal aid as an obligation of the Central and state governments.
National Conference on Legal Aid 1970 - It recommended the enactment of a legislation to make legal aid a statutory obligation of the State. It also called upon the courts, bar councils and law faculties to contribute in a nationwide programme to help the poor and indigent.
Gujarat Committee 1970 - also known as Bhagwati Committee, it saw Legal Service Institutions and free legal aid as a socio-economic necessity in a country like ours, and recommended for free legal aid in all the courts.
Expert Committee Report 1973 - Justice Krishna Iyer emphasised the need for Panchayati justice and legal aid to the rural poor, making a strong case for a network of LSIs at the national and state level, completely autonomous from government control.
The Juridicare Committee 1976 - The report submitted by Justice PN Bhagwati and Justice Krishna Iyer titled 'National Juridicare: Equal Justice - Social Justice', suggested the decentralisation of justice and reprisal mechanisms, to strengthen the system of 'Nyay Panchayat'.
Committee for Implementing Legal Aid Schemes 1980- Envisaged to be a Central body controlled jointly by the Executive and the Judiciary for implementing legal aid schemes. In 1985 CILAS finalised a model scheme for legal aid that led to the emergence of Lok Adalats in many states.
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 - The parliament of India enacted the Act for the creation of Legal Services Authorities from the Taluka to the Supreme Court level.
Enforcement of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1995 - Enforced on 9th November, it completes 25 years today. With 36 Authorities at the State and 658 at the District levels, the Legal Services Authorities are serving people across the country.