The Constitution of India outlines promise of securing to all the citizens social, economic and political justice. Article 39 A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity. Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority is an institution created to pursue these objectives.
Statutory Provisions: RSLSA
In 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by the Parliament, which came into force on 9th November, 1995. This has led to the setting up of Legal Services Authorities at the National, State and District levels along with Legal Services Committees at the Supreme Court, High Court and the Taluka levels.
The Government of Rajasthan in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, framed the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority Rules, 1995, and later Regulations, 1999 – to give effect to the provision of the Legal Services Authority Act , 1987( Act No.39 of 1987). Consequently, The Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority came into existence on 07.07.1998 by notification issued by the State Government.
Organisation Structure: Legal Service Authority
Composition of Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority
A State Authority shall consist of:
- (a) the Chief Justice of the High Court who shall be the Patron-in-Chief;
- (b) a serving or retired Judge of the High Court, to be nominated by the Governor, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, who shall be the Executive Chairman; and
- (c) such number of other members, possessing such experience and qualifications as may be prescribed by the State Government, to be nominated by that Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Rajasthan Legal Service Authority: Important Members
- Patron in Chief: Chief Justice, Rajasthan High Court – Justice Indrajit Mahanty
- Executive Chairman: Mr. Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava – Judge, Rajasthan High Court
Important Functions of Rajasthan Legal Service Authority
The Act mandates the State Legal Service Authorities to perform three primary functions:
- (a) Provide free legal service to the weaker sections of the society.
- (b) Conduct Lok Adalats including Lok Adalats for High Court cases; and
- (c) Undertake preventive and strategic legal aid programmes and create legal awareness.
Who is entitled for Free Legal Aid ?
Any person who fulfils the eligibility criteria as prescribed by Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 can avail of the free legal services. This includes:
- a) member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe;
- b) victim of trafficking in human beings or beggar as referred in article 23 of the Constitution;
- c) woman or a child;
- d) a mentally ill or otherwise disabled person;
- e) victim of a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster; or
- f) an industrial workman; or
- g) persons in custody; or
- h) persons in receipt of annual income not more than 1,50,000.
RSLSA Activities:
- State & District Legal Aid Fund have been created for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.
- The Rajasthan SLSA has appointed 30000 legal services volunteers for implementation of legal aid programs. Prominent persons of the society including the Sarpanchs, NGOs and Anganwadi workers are involved in the legal literacy programs.
- Till 2017, RSLSA has been able to provide free legal aid to approximately 1,32,000 beneficiaries.
- Organisation of Lok Adalats & Legal Awareness Camps.
