Now, lawyers will be available on video calls in Bastar villages.
Jagdalpur. An ambitious Digital India initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, is now simplifying justice even in remote areas of the Bastar division. With the expansion of the CSC Tele-Law scheme, access to justice has become much easier for citizens in sensitive and tribal-dominated districts like Bastar. The primary objective of this scheme is to ensure that villagers no longer have to travel long distances to district headquarters or major cities for legal advice, but instead, they can access it in their own villages. Under this revolutionary change, citizens can now directly interact with experienced lawyers from the country by visiting the Common Service Center nearest to their homes. This state-of-the-art facility, available through video calls or phone calls, not only saves villagers’ time but also relieves them of the hefty expense of commuting to cities. This legal aid is completely free for eligible categories determined by the government, a major step towards strengthening the rural economy and ensuring social justice.
The scope of the Tele-Law scheme has been broadened to provide legal protection to every aspect of a common man’s life. Under the scheme, family law issues such as marriage, divorce, alimony, and domestic disputes are now being resolved at home. Additionally, expert lawyers are providing precise guidance in land and property disputes, including those frequently encountered in the Bastar region, such as land possession, transfer, and partition. The scheme prioritizes sensitive issues such as domestic violence and maintenance under the Women and Child Rights Act, while also providing for the maintenance and protection of property rights of senior citizens. The comprehensive scope of the scheme can be gauged from the fact that it covers both civil and criminal matters. While citizens can seek advice on criminal matters such as FIRs, bail, and police proceedings, they also receive assistance in civil matters such as notices, recovery, and contract disputes. Additionally, villagers can now connect directly with lawyers for issues related to wages and service conditions under labor laws, complaints of fraud or defective products under consumer protection, and rights related to social welfare schemes such as pensions and rations. Furthermore, the scheme is proving helpful in resolving tenancy disputes and drafting legal documents, such as notices and affidavits.
The role of village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) at Common Service Centers (CSCs) is the backbone of the scheme’s on-the-ground implementation. CSC Manager Mr. Pradeep Kumar explained that the initiative aims to develop a simple, secure, and reliable legal aid system in rural areas. He explained that VLEs register citizens on the portal and guide villagers by scheduling online consultations with lawyers. He appealed to all VLEs in the area to make the mantra of “One Call, One Solution” a reality by enrolling as many citizens as possible under this scheme, ensuring equal access to justice for every person in society. The administration has also appealed to the citizens to avail this facility by contacting their nearest CSC centre for any of their legal problems.
