Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Progress Made Under the National Mission for Manuscripts

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:08PM by PIB Delhi

The National Mission for Manuscripts has digitized Three Lakh Fifty Thousand manuscripts so far in different repositories. The Mission is preserving all types of manuscripts across the nation scribed on different materials with the help of its Manuscripts Conservation Centers.

The Mission has uploaded 1,36,490 manuscripts, out of which 77,152 manuscripts are available for public access. These manuscripts can be accessed at our website https://www.namami.gov.in/

The Ministry of Culture under the aegis of Gyan Bharatam Mission is committed to expand NMM outreach through public exhibitions or digital platform extensively.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2118253) Visitor Counter : 21

Posted on

Status of the CBSP Scheme

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:08PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Tourism conducts hospitality and tourism related short-term training courses under its “Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)” scheme through Government and empanelled private institutes.  These programmes include Hunar Se Rozgar Tak, Entrepreneurship Programme, Skill Testing & Certification, Tourism Awareness Programme, etc. The various programmes and initiatives under CBSP scheme enhance employability of the candidates majorly in tourism and hospitality sectors.

The details of expenditure, stipend paid, candidates trained and certified under the CBSP scheme during the last three years is as under:

                                                                                                     (Amount in Rs. crore)

Year

No of candidates

Stipend paid

Total expenditure

2021-22

22034

–

21.22

2022-23

21641

0.85

15.71

2023-24

24153

2.61

21.68

 

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

 

(Release ID: 2118255) Visitor Counter : 36

Posted on

Use of e-governance and e-courts in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

Source: Government of India

Use of e-governance and e-courts in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

Over 26,000 appeals and applications were filed electronically through e-filing portal up to 28.02.2025

Court rooms at new office premises of ITAT, Delhi and Lucknow benches have also been equipped with the state-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure

State-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure facilitating uninterrupted virtual/hybrid hearings

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

The e-filing portal has been launched in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) for facilitating electronic filing of appeals, applications, petitions and documents, by the stakeholders. The e-filing portal continues to gain the acceptance of the stakeholders. Over 26,000 appeals and applications were filed electronically through e-filing portal before various benches of ITAT during the year, up to 28.02.2025. The provision of free and high-speed internet at various benches has been provided through Optical Fiber Cable (OFC), for access by all stakeholders. The Court rooms at new office premises of ITAT, Delhi and Lucknow benches have also been equipped with the state-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure to provide better hybrid/virtual hearing experience to the stakeholders. The upgradation of infrastructure including installation of latest equipment is also being enabled continuously for facilitating uninterrupted virtual/hybrid hearings.

In compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, ITAT has implemented hybrid / virtual hearings at all Benches, in letter and spirit, which facilitates litigants to attend hearing of their cases virtually. The benches of ITAT are not declining the requests of the parties for virtual hearings. For the period from July 2023 to December 2024, a total 1,22,302 hearings of appeals have been conducted through video conferencing before various Benches of ITAT.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun  Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2118248) Visitor Counter : 54

Posted on

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: FLUORIDE AND ARSENIC FREE DRINKING WATER UNDER JJM

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, is being implemented since August, 2019, in partnership with States/ UTs including Rajasthan, to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to rural households. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes.

Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, is vested with State/UT Governments. The Government of India support the State/ UTs by providing technical and financial assistance including the State of Rajasthan.

  • As reported by States on JJM-IMIS, since the inception of JJM, about 7,746 fluoride affected, and 13,706 Arsenic affected habitations which have been reported to be covered with piped water supply schemes as on date.
  • Out of these 7,746 fluoride affected habitations in the country, 4,177 fluoride affected habitations were from the State of Rajasthan.
     
  • Out of these 4,177 fluoride affected habitations in Rajasthan, 480 and 92 habitations were from Jalore and Sirohi district respectively which are now reported by the State Government to have been covered through JJM piped water supply schemes.

Further, as on date, there are 250 Fluoride and 314 Arsenic affected rural habitations remaining in the country where the piped water supply schemes compliant to JJM standards are yet to be commissioned. However, all these habitations (250 for Fluoride and 314 for Arsenic) have been provided with safe drinking water through community based water purification plants purely as an interim measure to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8–10 litre per capita per day (lpcd) for drinking and cooking requirements.

  • The State of Rajasthan has reported that its 80 remaining Fluoride affected habitations (out of 250 remaining fluoride affected habitations in the country) have been provided with safe drinking water through CWPPs/ IHPs as well.
  • As reported by Rajasthan in JJM-IMIS, as on date, there are no Arsenic affected habitation in the State of Rajasthan. Thus, all habitations in rural area of the country are provided safe drinking water free from Fluoride and Arsenic contamination.

Under JJM, while planning water supply schemes to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants including Fluoride and Arsenic.  States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues. The Department has developed a web based integrated management information system (JJM-IMIS) to capture and monitor the data of water quality affected habitations, where States/UTs provide status of habitation that have contamination in their drinking water sources.

As per the Operational Guidelines, States/ UTs can utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation of funds under JJM for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQM&S) activities, inter-alia, which includes setting up and strengthening of water quality testing laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals, glassware, consumables, hiring of skilled manpower, surveillance by community using field test kits (FTKs), awareness generation, educational programmes on water quality, accreditation/recognition of laboratories, etc.

To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water sources, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain on JJM Dashboard and can also be accessed at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report

A ‘Citizen Corner’ was also developed on the JJM Dashboard. The corner included display of water quality test results in the public domain to further create awareness and build confidence among people about the quality of water supplies through the PWS in rural areas.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

***

DHANYA SANAL K

(Lok Sabha US Q5306)

(Release ID: 2118250) Visitor Counter : 40

Posted on

12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024)

Source: Government of India

12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024)

Legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities attended by around 13.93 crore and 3.06 crore persons respectively

Legal Aid System

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries covered under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. This Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. In addition, NALSA has also formulated various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes, which are implemented by the Legal Services Authorities at various levels i.e. State, District and Taluka level. During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services.

Government is also implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026), at an outlay of Rs. 250 crores. The DISHA scheme aims to provide easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric delivery of legal services through the Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal awareness programme. Under the DISHA scheme, Tele- Law connects citizens with the lawyers through mobile app “Tele- Law” and Toll-Free number for rendering pre-litigation advice; Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono services) facilitates registered beneficiaries to avail pro bono legal representation in courts and under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme, citizens are empowered to know, understand and avail their legal rights, duties and entitlements. Till 28th February 2025, DISHA scheme through its various programmes has covered approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.

The Government of India is implementing another Central Sector Scheme namely; Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through NALSA. LADCS Scheme aims to provide legal aid with regard to criminal cases only to the beneficiaries eligible for legal aid under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. The approved financial outlay of LADCS scheme is Rs. 998.43 crore for 3 years (F.Y. 2023-24 to F.Y. 2025-26). As on 30th December 2024, LADC offices are functional in 654 districts across the country and has engaged 5251 staff including 3448 Defense Counsels. During the year 2024-25 (upto December, 2024), LADCS offices dealt more than 3.95 lakh criminal cases.

Legal awareness programmes are held across the country by Legal Service Authorities on various laws and schemes relating to children, labourers, victims of disaster, SC and ST, persons suffering from disability, etc. Legal Services Authorities also prepare booklets and pamphlets in simple language on various laws and are distributed amongst the people. 12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024) which were attended by around 13.93 crore and 3.06 crore persons respectively.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram  Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2118245) Visitor Counter : 51

Posted on

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF JAL JEEVAN MISSION

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi

Government of India had launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a centrally sponsored scheme in August 2019, aiming at providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.

At the start the Mission, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 31.03.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal around 12.34 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.57 Crore (80.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. State/ UT-wise details are below.

To achieve 100 per cent coverage through continued implementation of mission with focus on quality of infrastructure and Operation & Maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes for long term sustainability and citizen centric water service delivery, Hon’ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with enhanced total outlay.

Drinking Water is a State subject, as such planning, approval, implementation, operation and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State governments. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Moreover, in respect of State/ UT-wise details of action initiated, specific complaints are sent to the concerned States/UTs and appropriate action are taken by them. Further, through operational guidelines of the Mission, States have been advised to incorporate requisite penalty clauses in the contract documents so as to disincentivize the agencies to avoid delay in implementation.

JJM: State/ UT-wise status of tap water connections in rural households as on 31.03.2025

 (Number in lakhs)

S. No.

State/ UT

Total rural HHs

Rural HHs with tap water supply as on 15.8.2019

Rural HHs given tap water connections since 15.8.2019

Rural HHs with tap water connection as on date

No.

%

No.

%

No.

%

1.

A & N Islands

0.62

0.29

46.02

 0.33

 53.98

 0.62

100.00 100.00

2.

Arunachal Pr.

2.29

0.23

9.97

 2.06

 90.03

 2.29

100.00

3.

DNH & DD

0.85

0.00

0.00

 0.85

 100.00

 0.85

100.00

4.

Goa

2.64

1.99

75.44

 0.65

 24.56

 2.64

100.00

5.

Gujarat

91.18

65.16

71.46

 26.02

 28.54

 91.18

100.00

6.

Haryana

30.41

17.66

58.08

 12.75

 41.92

 30.41

100.00

7.

Himachal Pr.

17.09

7.63

44.64

 9.46

 55.36

 17.09

100.00

8.

Mizoram

1.33

0.09

6.91

 1.24

 93.09

 1.33

100.00

9.

Puducherry

1.15

0.94

81.33

 0.21

 18.67

 1.15

100.00

10.

Punjab

34.27

16.79

48.98

 17.48

 51.02

 34.27

100.00

11.

Telangana

53.98

15.68

29.05

 38.30

 70.95

 53.98

100.00

12.

Uttarakhand

14.50

1.30

8.99

 12.83

 88.46

 14.13

 97.45

13.

Ladakh

0.41

0.01

3.48

 0.38

 93.30

 0.39

 96.77

14.

Bihar

167.55

3.16

1.89

 157.19

 93.82

 160.36

 95.71

15.

Nagaland

3.64

0.14

3.82

 3.24

 88.95

 3.37

 92.76

16.

Lakshadweep

0.13

  

0.00

 0.12

 91.41

 0.12

 91.41

17.

Sikkim

1.33

0.70

52.96

 0.51

 38.32

 1.21

 91.28

18.

Maharashtra

146.79

48.44

33.00

 82.76

 56.38

 131.20

 89.38

19.

Uttar Pr.

267.22

5.16

1.93

 232.72

 87.09

 237.89

 89.03

20.

Tamil Nadu

125.27

21.76

17.37

 89.29

 71.27

 111.05

 88.64

21.

Tripura

7.51

0.25

3.26

 6.18

 82.30

 6.42

 85.56

22.

Karnataka

101.31

24.51

24.20

 60.73

 59.95

 85.25

 84.15

23.

Meghalaya

6.51

0.05

0.70

 5.30

 81.41

 5.34

 82.11

24.

Assam

72.25

1.11

1.54

 57.77

 79.95

 58.88

 81.49

25.

J & K

19.21

5.75

29.95

 9.85

 51.27

 15.60

 81.22

26.

Chhattisgarh

50.01

3.20

6.39

 37.20

 74.39

 40.40

 80.78

27.

Manipur

4.52

0.26

5.74

 3.34

 73.85

 3.59

 79.59

28.

Odisha

88.69

3.11

3.50

 64.85

 73.11

 67.96

 76.62

29.

Andhra Pr.

95.53

30.74

32.18

 39.78

 41.64

 70.52

 73.82

30.

Madhya Pr.

111.79

13.53

12.10

 63.38

 56.69

 76.91

 68.80

31.

Rajasthan

107.74

11.74

10.90

 48.72

 45.22

 60.46

 56.12

32.

West Bengal

175.56

2.15

1.22

 94.76

 53.97

 96.91

 55.20

33.

Jharkhand

62.55

3.45

5.52

 30.86

 49.33

 34.31

 54.85

34.

Kerala

70.77

16.64

23.51

 21.91

 30.96

 38.56

 54.48

Total

19,36.61

 3,23.63

16.71

 12,33.02

 63.67

 15,56.65

 80.38

Source: JJM – IMIS                              HH: Households

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

***

DHANYA SANAL K

(Lok Sabha US Q5327)

(Release ID: 2118247) Visitor Counter : 38

Posted on

The Supreme Court is collaborating with the High Courts in translation of e-SCR Judgements in 18 vernacular languages

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

The Supreme Court is collaborating with the High Courts in translation of e-SCR Judgements in 18 vernacular languages. The Chief Justice of India has constituted the Artificial Intelligence Assisted Legal Translation Advisory Committee, headed by a Judge of the Supreme Court of India to monitor the translation of Supreme Court Reportable Judgements (e-SCR) into vernacular languages by using Artificial Intelligence Tools. A similar Committee has been constituted in all the High Courts, headed by a Judge of the respective High Courts.

The Artificial Intelligence Committee of the Supreme Court has been convening frequent meetings with the Artificial Intelligence Committee of the High Courts and giving directions/ suggestions for translation of Supreme Court and High Court Judgements in vernacular language by using Artificial Intelligence Tools. The Artificial Intelligence Committee of the High Courts, Law Secretary, Advocate General, the Secretary in-charge of translation department in the State have been requested to take steps for appointment of translators in every High Court for translation of Supreme Court Reportable Judgements (e-SCR) as well as the High Court judgements into vernacular/ local language of that state.

As on 28.03.2025, 36344 Supreme Court Judgments have been translated

Posted on

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SAFE AND PURE WATER IN RURAL AREAS

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Jal Shakti

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SAFE AND PURE WATER IN RURAL AREAS

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes/projects lies with State Government. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

Towards this end, Government of India in partnership with States/UTs including Maharashtra, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) since August, 2019, to make provision of tap water supply in adequate quantity (minimum 55 lpcd), of prescribed quality (BIS:10500) and on regular and long-term basis, to every rural household in the country.

Significant progress has been made in the country since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, only 3.23 Crore (~17%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 31.03.2025, around 12.33 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.56 Crore (80.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

Hon’ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028 with an enhanced total outlay focusing on the quality of infrastructure and O&M of rural piped water supply schemes through “Jan Bhagidhari”. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) will be signed with States/UTs, to ensure sustainability and citizen-centric water service delivery.

JJM is focused on ‘service delivery’ rather than mere water supply ‘infrastructure development’ which makes it distinct from earlier programmes. This Mission is a demand-driven, decentralized, community-managed programme. To expedite the planning and implementation, as well as monitoring and handhold States/ UTs, including Maharashtra, Government of India has taken number of steps which inter alia includes discussion and finalization of annual action plan (AAP) in consultation with States/ UTs, regular review of planning and implementation, workshops/ conferences/ webinars for capacity building and knowledge sharing, field visits by multi-disciplinary team to provide technical support, etc. To bring transparency and effective monitoring, an online ‘JJM dashboard’ has been created, which provides State/ UT, district and village-wise progress as well as status of provision of tap water supply to rural homes.

At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, 48.44 lakh (33%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in Maharashtra. So far, as reported by the State as on 31.03.2025, around 82.76 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM during more than last five years. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 146.79 lakh rural households in the Maharashtra, approximately 131.20 lakh (~89.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

The district-wise number of households including those in Akola and Washim district, getting tap water supply in their homes under JJM since its inception in Maharashtra is at below.

S.No.

District

Total Rural household

Rural HHs with tap water supply as on 15.8.2019

Rural HHs with tap water connection as on 31.03.2025

 

 

 

No.

%

No.

%

1

Ahmednagar

7,99,754

97,417

12.18

7,18,167

89.80

2

Akola

2,48,458

62,828

25.29

2,18,710

88.03

3

Amravati

4,32,311

2,14,499

49.48

4,27,516

98.89

4

Beed

4,72,732

82,249

17.4

3,64,679

77.14

5

Bhandara

2,56,684

82,426

32.11

2,23,421

87.04

7

Buldhana

4,48,293

1,93,121

43.08

4,25,184

94.85

8

Chandrapur

3,95,251

94,069

23.8

3,57,691

90.50

9

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

4,88,084

2,06,238

42.25

4,21,516

86.36

10

Dharashiv

2,88,559

1,17,555

40.74

2,52,534

87.52

11

Dhule

3,04,035

1,93,790

63.74

3,02,827

99.60

12

Gadchiroli

2,42,119

21,384

8.83

2,22,716

91.99

13

Gondia

3,07,730

62,859

20.43

2,50,994

81.56

14

Hingoli

2,14,938

37,291

17.35

1,77,927

82.78

15

Jalgaon

6,90,913

3,97,945

57.6

6,90,783

99.98

16

Jalna

3,00,063

1,68,567

56.18

2,99,846

99.93

17

Kolhapur

6,84,162

3,07,469

44.94

6,81,440

99.60

19

Latur

3,74,582

1,65,992

44.31

3,66,081

97.73

20

Nagpur

3,76,864

1,36,511

36.22

3,67,229

97.44

21

Nanded

5,36,765

92,718

17.27

4,83,062

90.00

22

Nandurbar

3,62,721

52,665

14.52

2,29,690

63.32

23

Nashik

7,18,369

1,71,350

23.85

6,69,085

93.14

24

Palghar

4,52,043

41,349

9.15

3,15,797

69.86

25

Parbhani

2,99,744

80,635

26.9

2,56,145

85.45

26

Pune

8,95,107

3,42,698

38.29

7,64,668

85.43

27

Raigad

5,48,620

2,70,053

49.22

4,91,903

89.66

28

Ratnagiri

4,48,354

1,46,474

32.67

3,86,286

86.16

29

Sangli

4,59,048

1,41,401

30.8

4,03,749

87.95

30

Satara

6,18,518

2,87,355

46.46

5,70,642

92.26

31

Sindhudurg

1,93,373

69,991

36.19

1,60,700

83.10

32

Solapur

5,77,245

2,15,657

37.36

5,76,668

99.90

33

Thane

2,61,275

66,075

25.29

1,93,897

74.21

34

Wardha

2,38,877

1,08,263

45.32

2,34,906

98.34

35

Washim

2,20,115

50,012

22.72

1,97,723

89.83

36

Yavatmal

5,22,884

64,926

12.42

4,15,792

79.52

 

Total

1,46,78,590

48,43,832

33

1,31,19,974

89.38

Source: JJM – IMIS

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

***

DHANYA SANAL K

(Lok Sabha US Q5390)

(Release ID: 2118242)

Posted on

During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services

Source: Government of India

During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services

Government implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026) for Rs. 250 crores

Government of India is implementing Central Sector Scheme Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through National Legal Services Authority

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

The Legislative Department is mandated with drafting of laws on the basis of the policy decision taken by the concerned administrative Ministries/Department of the Government of India and as per the procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in the Manual of Parliamentary Procedure in the Government of India. The Legislative Department has been taking necessary steps to ensure that legislative drafting is simple, plain, precise and unambiguous. The Institute of Legislative Drafting and Research offers training in legislative drafting with the focus on drafting the legislations in simple/plain language to make it accessible for the general public.

As part of the resolve of the Government of India to reduce such compliance burden, bring reforms in the legal system and make it more accessible to the common man, so far, a total number of 1562 obsolete and redundant laws have been repealed through various Repealing and Amending Acts.                        

The Law Commission of India has also been mandated to review and suggest reforms in the laws of the country. As per notification dated 02.09.2024 the   Twenty-third Law Commission of India was constituted with the mandate, inter-alia to identify laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed, examine the existing laws for promoting gender equality and suggesting amendments thereto and revise the Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and to remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities.

The National Legal Services Authority was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries covered under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. This Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. In addition, National Legal Services Authority has also formulated various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes, which are implemented by the Legal Services Authorities at various levels i.e. State, District and Taluka level.  During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services.

Government is also implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026), at an outlay of Rs. 250 crores.

The DISHA scheme aims to provide easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric delivery of legal services through the Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal awareness programme. Under the DISHA scheme, Tele-Law connects citizens with the lawyers through mobile app “Tele-Law” and Toll-Free number for rendering pre-litigation advice; Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono services) facilitates registered beneficiaries to avail pro bono legal representation in courts and under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme, citizens are empowered to know, understand and avail their legal rights, duties and entitlements. Till 28th February 2025, DISHA scheme through its various programmes has covered approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.

The Government of India is implementing another Central Sector Scheme that is the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through National Legal Services Authority. LADCS Scheme aims to provide legal aid with regard to criminal cases only to the beneficiaries eligible for legal aid under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The approved financial outlay of LADCS scheme is Rs. 998.43 crore for 3 years (F.Y. 2023-24 to F.Y. 2025-26). As on 30th December 2024, LADC offices are functional in 654 districts across the country and has engaged 5251 staff including 3448 Defense Counsels. During the year 2024-25 (upto December, 2024), LADCS offices dealt more than 3.95 lakh criminal cases.

Lok Adalats are organised by Legal Services Institutions at such intervals as it deems fit, in order to reduce the pendency of cases in courts and also to settle the disputes at pre-litigation stage. Lok Adalats are one of the effective modes of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism in reducing the burden on the courts, which have received positive response from the public.

There are three types of Lok Adalats namely State Lok Adalats, National Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats.

  1.  State Lok Adalats are organized by the Legal Services Authorities/Committees as per the local conditions and needs, for settlement of both pre-litigation and post-litigation cases.
  2.  National Lok Adalats are conducted quarterly for settlement of cases (both pre-litigation and post-litigation) in all the courts from the Supreme Court of India to the Taluk Courts on a single day.  Every year, National Legal Services Authority issues calendar for organising National Lok Adalats. During the year 2025, National Lok Adalats are scheduled to be held on 8th March, 10th May, 13th September and 13th December.
  3.  Permanent Lok Adalats are permanent establishments set up in most of the districts to provide compulsory pre-litigative mechanism for settlement of disputes related to Public Utility Services.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2118238) Visitor Counter : 55

Posted on

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PIPED WATER SUPPLY IN WATER-STRESSED CITIES

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes/projects lies with State Government. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

Towards this end, Government of India in partnership with States/UTs including Maharashtra, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) since August, 2019, to make provision of tap water supply in adequate quantity (minimum 55 lpcd), of prescribed quality (BIS:10500) and on regular and long-term basis, to every rural household in the country.

As informed by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), several steps have been taken towards sustainable management of water in urban areas through issuance of various guidelines and implementation of National Missions such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) & AMRUT 2.0.

Under AMRUT Mission in Maharashtra, 43 water supply projects worth ₹4,446.06 crore have been grounded. Under AMRUT Mission and in convergence with the State 11.73 lakh water tap connections (new/ serviced) have been provided and 445.7 MLD Water treatment capacity has been created in the State.

Under AMRUT and in convergence one desalination plant worth 985 crore (including Operation & Maintenance) has been commissioned/ completed in Tamil Nadu. For waste water treatment and recycling, 890 sewerage/septage management projects worth ₹34,505 crore have been taken up under AMRUT. 4,447 MLD sewage treatment plant capacity has been created and 1,437 MLD sewage treatment plant capacity has been developed for recycle/reuse.

Under AMRUT 2.0. State Water Action Plans submitted by States/UTs have been approved for 592 sewerage/septage management projects worth ₹67,607.67 crore covering total Sewage treatment capacity of 6,739 MLD & 2089 MLD sewage treatment capacity for recycle/reuse.

MoHUA has issued Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014

(https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/URDPFI%20Guidelines% 20Vol%20I(2).pdf).

The Chapter – 6 “Sustainability Guidelines” of URDPFI guidelines 2014 deals with various aspects of rain water harvesting.

Ministry has also issued Model Building Bye-laws (MBBL) – 2016 (https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/MBBL.pdf), in which Chapter-9 deals with provisions of rainwater harvesting for adoption by the States.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

 (Lok Sabha US Q5348)

(Release ID: 2118239) Visitor Counter : 39