TELE-LAW PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Social Justice)

Context: In a momentous event, the Tele-Law 2.0 initiative was launched marking an important chapter in the evolution of the Tele-Law program of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice. 

• This ground-breaking program, operating under the DISHA Scheme, has achieved a significant milestone by delivering 50 lakh legal consultations, reinforcing its unwavering dedication to ensuring justice reaches every corner of the nation. 

• DISHA Scheme was launched in order to provide a comprehensive, holistic, integrated and systemic solution on access to justice at pan India level.

Tele-Law Programme

• The Tele-Law programme comes under the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice and was launched in 2017.
• It is an e-interface mechanism to seek legal advice and consultation at a pre-litigation stage with the aim of ‘Reaching the Unreached’.
• The programme connects needy and marginalised people in need of legal aid with the Panel Lawyers via video conferencing/telephonic facilities available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) situated at the panchayat level. In addition, the service can also be accessed through the Tele-Law Mobile App.
• A Panel Lawyer is a practicing advocate selected by the Department of Justice and CSC-eGovernance Services or registered on the Panel of State /District Legal Services Authority.
• Legal advice is made available to everyone under Tele-Law service. Advice is free of Cost to those who are eligible for free legal aid under Section 12 of LSA Act, 1987.