Haryana Chief Minister Showcases Technology's Role in Expanding Justice Access
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, speaking at a regional 'DISHA' workshop held at Kurukshetra University on Sunday, underscored the transformative impact of technology-driven initiatives in strengthening access to justice across India. He highlighted that inclusive development and good governance, core to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, are unattainable without ensuring every citizen is aware of their rights and assured of justice.
DISHA Scheme: A Rs 250 Crore Initiative for Citizen-Centric Justice
The DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) scheme, backed by a financial outlay of Rs 250 crore, operates through three key programmes: Tele-Law: Reaching the Unreached, Nyaya Bandhu, and Legal Literacy & Awareness. CM Saini emphasized that this citizen-centric initiative is bridging the justice gap by leveraging technology to reach remote and underserved populations.
Tele-Law and Nyaya Bandhu: Under the Tele-Law programme, legal advice is delivered to citizens in remote areas through a vast network of nearly 2.5 lakh Common Service Centres spanning 777 districts. Additionally, people can access legal assistance via a mobile app or the toll-free number 14454, supported by 'Nyaya Sahayaks' who connect households to the platform. Saini noted that over 10,263 lawyers have already registered for pro-bono services under the Nyaya Bandhu programme, significantly enhancing legal aid availability.
State-Level Reforms and Technological Integration in Haryana
Highlighting state-specific advancements, CM Saini detailed Haryana's successful implementation of three new criminal laws within a short timeframe, supported by modern tools like e-Sakshya and e-Summon applications. The state has established over 2,145 video conferencing facilities across police stations, forensic labs, courts, prisons, and banks.
As a result, 46.52% of police personnel are now appearing in courts through video conferencing, streamlining judicial processes and reducing logistical burdens. Saini also reported that the conviction rate in criminal cases has surged to 82.6% following the adoption of these new laws, demonstrating improved efficiency in the justice system.
Union Minister Reiterates Commitment to Equitable Justice
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, who also addressed the workshop, reinforced the government's priority to ensure that even the poorest citizens have easy access to justice. He stated that programmes like Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, and legal literacy campaigns are pivotal in achieving this goal, aligning with constitutional guarantees of social, economic, and political justice.
Legal Awareness and Outreach: CM Saini added that legal awareness campaigns have already reached over 1.21 crore people nationwide, fostering greater public understanding of legal rights and procedures. The workshop, organized by the Department of Justice under the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, saw participation from law students, legal experts, and academicians, including Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Justice Department Secretary Neeraj Verma, and Joint Secretary Suresh Kumar.
Event Highlights and Broader Implications
During the event, a DISHA awareness van was flagged off to promote legal literacy, e-books on customary laws of the northeastern region were released, and a Doordarshan documentary was launched. Several legal experts and participants shared insights, emphasizing the workshop's role in fostering collaborative efforts towards justice accessibility.
CM Saini concluded by asserting that technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for democratizing justice, ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the pursuit of legal recourse and empowerment.
