DISHA Scheme

• 19 Dec 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Minister of Law and Justice has informed Lok Sabha that “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice” (DISHA) Scheme was launched for a period of five years 2021-2026.

What is DISHA Scheme?

• About:
  • It was launched in order to provide a comprehensive, holistic, integrated and systemic solution on access to justice at pan India level.
  • It aims to secure “Justice” to the people of India as enunciated in the Preamble and under Articles 39A, 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
  • It aims to design and consolidate various initiatives to provide citizen- centric delivery of legal services.
• Components: There are three components under DISHA at present,
  • Tele-Law: Reaching the Unreached:
    • To strengthen pre litigation legal advice and consultation, the Tele-Law Service connects the citizen with the Panel lawyers through the use of video /Teleconferencing facilities available at the Common Service Centres (CSCs) and via Tele-Law Mobile App.
  • The Nyaya Bandhu Programme:
    • The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) programme aims to provide free legal assistance and counsel to the marginalized sections.
    • Nyaya Bandhu Mobile Application, for android and iOS phones, has been developed to connect the registered Pro Bono Advocates with the registered applicants.
  • Legal Awareness Programmes:
    • To provide for a more robust framework, Legal Service Institutions network at the National, State and District and Taluk level, constituted under the Legal Services Authorities, Act, 1987.
  • Information Education and Communication (IEC):
    • In order to ensure its widened reach, dedicated Information Education and Communication (IEC) including (Technology) component has been embedded in DISHA.

What are the Major Steps Taken on Access to Justice?

• National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms:
  • The Mission has been pursuing a coordinated approach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration, which, inter-alia, involves better infrastructure for courts, including computerization, an increase in strength of subordinate judiciary, policy and legislative measures.
• Improving Infrastructure for Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Courts:
  • Rs. 9291.79 crores have been released since the inception of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities.
  • The number of court halls has increased from Significantly.
• Leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT):
  • The Government has been implementing the e-Courts Mission Mode Project throughout the country for information and communication technology enablement of district and subordinate courts.
  • The number of computerised district & subordinate courts has increased to 18,735 so far.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q1. With reference to National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements: (2013)

1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity.
2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Q2. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? (2020)

1. Person with an annual income of less than `1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than `2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than `3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 4 only

Ans: (a)

Source: PIB