Tele-Law Scheme | UPSC
HEADLINES:
Tele-Law touches a new milestone; 4 Lakh beneficiaries received legal advice under the initiative through CSC
WHY IN NEWS:
2.05 lakh advices have been enabled during the first seven months of FY-20-21 as against total 1.95 lakh advices given till April 2020
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Schemes
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS go through the scheme carefully . Note down aim , beneficiaries and eligibility criteria . There is a new concept here called CSC . We have mentioned it in conclusion part .
For MAINS access to justice has been simplified through a simple process . Open your Mains book and note down the implementation process . Let us dive in !
ISSUE:
OVERVIEW OF TELE-LAW
- Department of Justice has partnered with NALSA and CSC e-Governance Service India Limited for mainstreaming legal aid to the marginalised communities through Common Services Center (CSC).
- This e-interaction between lawyers and people would be through the video-conferencing infrastructure available at the CSCs.
AIM
- The project initiates to connect citizens with lawyers through video conferencing facilities by the Para-Legal Volunteers stationed at identified 1800 panchayat.
IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS | SOURCES : TELE-LAW.IN
ELIGIBILITY
Citizens eligible for this scheme are :
Persons not mentioned in the above list should pay 30 Rs fees and an address proof has to be presented.
SOURCES : TELE-LAW.IN
BENEFICIARIES
- The service is free for those are eligible for free legal Aid as mentioned under Section 12 of Legal Services Authority Act, 1987.
- For all others a nominal fee of INR 30 Rs is charged.
COVERAGE
- Since 2017 Tele law service has been provided in selected 1800 CSCs of 11 states.
- At present Tele- Law service is available in 28060 CSCs in 115 Aspirational Districts across 28 states in the country.
CONSULTATION
Legal matters in which advice can be taken through Tele-Law service :-
- दहेज, पारिवारिक विवाद, तलाक, घरेलू हिंसा और रखरखाव(Domestic Violence)
- कार्यस्थल पर महिलाओं का यौन उत्पीड़न (Sexual Violence)
- भूमि विवाद, किरायेदारी और पट्टे,(Property disputes)
- संपत्ति और विरासत के अधिकार(Land Aquisition)
- समान कार्य के लिए समान वेतन, न्यूनतम मजदूरी(Minimum Wages)
- मातृत्व लाभ, गर्भावस्था की चिकित्सा समाप्ति, प्री और पोस्ट नेटल के दुरुपयोग की रोकथाम
- बाल विवाह यौन से बच्चों का संरक्षण अपराध ( Child marraiges )
- बाल श्रम / बंधुआ मजदूरी, शिक्षा का अधिकार (Child labour)
- एफआईआर, गिरफ्तारी, जमानत देना ( Arrest and detention)
- अनुसूचित जाति और अनुसूचित जनजाति के खिलाफ अत्याचार (Atrocities)
EXPANSION OF TELE-LAW PROGRAMME : ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS
- Based on the wide response garnered in the pilot states and the urgency for the common man to receive legal advice as first step towards access to justice.
- Tele-Law is one of the key programme of Department of Justice that has also been flagged as a part of 100 days programme of the newly constituted Government of India.
- These 115 Districts have been described as Aspirational rather than backward so that they are viewed as islands of hope and opportunity rather than areas of distress and hopelessness.
SIGNIFICANCE
- The Aspirational Districts programme are being measured on the indices of education, health and nutrition, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, basic infrastructure and skills.
- Aspiring to fulfil the Government commitment of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaash, Sabka Vishwas there is a need to amalgamate “Sabka Nyaya” as a fourth pillar to empowerment and development in the country.
- In this regard Department of Justice could act as a force multiplier on the desired outcomes in these Aspirational districts.
- The Tele-Law programme would cover 28,060 CSCs in 115 Aspirational Districts across 28 States.
- This will be in cooperation with National Legal Service Authority (NALSA),State / District Legal Service Authority and CSC e- Governance Service Limited.
- To ensure that this service is effectively used 28060, Tele-Law Para legal volunteers from within the communities would be engaged to act as bridge to connect the beneficiary with the Panel Lawyer.
CSC e-GOVERNANCE SERVICES INDIA LIMITED
- CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle.
- It has been set up by the Ministry of Electronics & IT under the Companies Act, 1956 to oversee the implementation of the CSC scheme.
- It will also ensuring systemic viability and sustainability of the Scheme.
- The Common Services Centers provide the last mile access to various e-governance services.
CSC’s OFFER
- Access to e-services
- Delivering essential government public utility services
- Social welfare schemes
- Financial inclusion services,
- Health care and agriculture services.
IASbhai WINDUP:
CSC AND DIGITAL LITERACY
- CSCs have also been trying to bridge the gaps in digital literacy and skills of rural citizens.
- Variety of literacy initiatives have been focused on digital, financial and legal literacy and e-learning and skill development courses.
Tele-Law Scheme | UPSC
- CSCs contribute to Government’s mandate of a digitally, socially and financially inclusive society .
- This is by improving access to governance and services in rural and remote areas.
- Under the CSC 2.0 scheme initiated by the Ministry of Electronics & IT in 2015, at least one CSC is to be rolled out in each and every 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country.
SOURCES: PIB | Tele-Law Scheme | UPSC
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