Tele-Law CSC Portal is an initiative by the Government of India to provide legal aid and advice to citizens, especially in rural and remote areas, through Common Service Centres (CSCs). The program aims to bridge the gap between legal services and marginalized communities by leveraging technology to connect them with legal experts.
Key Features of Tele-Law CSC Portal:
- Legal Advice through Video Conferencing: Tele-law services provide legal advice through video conferencing or telephone calls. Citizens can connect with panel lawyers through the CSCs to get legal advice on various issues.
- Common Service Centres (CSCs): CSCs act as access points for citizens to avail of Tele-Law services. These centers are spread nationwide, especially in rural and remote areas, making legal advice accessible.
- Panel Lawyers: The portal connects citizens with panel lawyers qualified to provide legal advice. These lawyers are empaneled by the Department of Justice to ensure quality and reliable legal guidance.
- Free and Affordable Services: The legal advice provided through Tele-Law is free of cost for marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), women, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. Others can avail of the services at a nominal fee.
- User-friendly Interface: The portal is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple interface for booking appointments with lawyers, viewing case status, and receiving legal advice.
- Mobile Application: A dedicated Tele-Law mobile app is available, allowing users to access services easily from their smartphones.
- Awareness and Capacity Building: The initiative also focuses on creating legal awareness among citizens through workshops, training, and outreach programs conducted by CSC.
How Tele-Law Works:
- Registration: The citizen visits the nearest CSC to register for Tele-Law services or can self-register through the mobile app.
- Consultation Appointment: The CSC operator schedules an appointment with a panel lawyer based on the issue raised by the citizen.
- Consultation: The citizen can interact with the lawyer via video call or telephone to discuss their legal problem.
- Follow-up and Case Monitoring: Post-consultation, the portal allows follow-ups, and the citizen can monitor the status of their case if further action is required.
Benefits of Tele-Law:
- Accessibility: Provides access to legal services in rural and remote areas.
- Affordability: Free or low-cost legal advice for marginalized communities.
- Time-saving: Reduces the need to travel long distances for legal advice.
- Empowerment: Empowers citizens by providing knowledge of their legal rights.
Tele-Law is a significant step towards making justice accessible to all, aligning with the government’s vision of “Sabka Nyaya” (Justice for All).
