Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)
Why in News?
The Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme is currently in the news as the Department of Justice organized a major Regional Workshop on March 22, 2026, at Kurukshetra University, Haryana.
Key Features
- Nature of Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union Government) launched in April 2021 with a ₹250 crore outlay.
- Nodal Authority: Implemented by the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
- Constitutional Basis: Aims to fulfil the mandate of Article 39A (Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid), Article 14, and Article 21.
Core Components
- Tele-Law: Connects citizens with panel lawyers via video/tele-conferencing at 2.50 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) or the Tele-Law Mobile App.
- Nyaya Bandhu: A platform for pro bono (free) legal assistance where volunteer advocates provide representation in courts.
- Legal Literacy & Awareness: Sensitizes citizens about their rights through workshops, books, and mass media (Doordarshan programs).
- Nyaya Sahayaks: Introduced in 2024 to provide door-to-door legal assistance in 500 Aspirational Blocks.
- Outreach & Inclusion: The scheme has reached over 2.10 crore beneficiaries pan-India, with significant impact on women, SCs, STs, and marginalized rural communities.
- Technological Integration: Features a unified toll-free helpline (14454) and applications translated into 22 scheduled languages.
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