Lok Sabha Question No. 1869 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Awareness for Legal Rights
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi, Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan, Shri Vijay Baghel, Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1869

ANSWERED ON FRIDAY - 02/08/2024

## Awareness for Legal Rights

1869.   Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi:

Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj:

Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan:

Shri Vijay Baghel:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to popularize the understanding of the Constitution and to increase the awareness about the legal rights;
- (b) the results and major achievements thereof; and
- (c) the details of the further measures proposed to be taken in this regard in future?

## ANSWER

## 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)

(a) to (c) The Government of India has taken various steps to popularize the understanding of the  Constitution  and  to  increase  the  awareness  about  the  legal  rights.  The  Government  of India,  through  the  Department  of  Justice  as  the  nodal  department,  launched  the  Citizens' Duties Awareness Programme (CDAP) on November 26, 2019, aiming to increase awareness of the Constitution with a focus on Fundamental Duties.CDAP was able to reach over 48.6 crore citizens through effective implementation of various programmes by various Ministries/Departments  of  the  Government  of  India,  States/UTs,  Judiciary  and  NSS/NYK Volunteers. The program utilized tools such as online Preamble reading (21.86 lakh), online Pledge  taking  (1.90  lakh),  Webinars  (10,600),  messaging  through  E-tickets  (14.5  Cr),  and social  media  (10.95  Cr).  Over  86  Ministries/Departments  engaged  in  the  year-long  CDAP activities. Additionally, 31 lakh elected Gram Panchayat representatives and 14,500 Special

Gram Sabhas promoted the concept of Fundamental Duties among citizen. The DoJ launched a  grassroots  campaign  in  1000  digital  villages  through  the  CSC  network,  covering  310 districts  across  16  states.  This  effort  included  2409  awareness  sessions,  reaching  over 4,84,000  villagers,  9000  wall  paintings,  and  signature  banners  displayed  on  fundamental duties in all digital villages.

During  the  current  year,  the  Department  of  Justice  has  initiated  a  pan-India,  year-long nationwide campaign titled 'Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman' to celebrate the 75th year of India as a Republic and the adoption of India's Constitution. The campaign was launched on January 24, 2024, by the Hon'ble Vice-President of India. Following this, regional events were organized in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on March 9, 2024, and in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on July  16,  2024,  to  ensure  decentralized  outreach  of  the  campaign.This  campaign  aims  to reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India and to celebrate the shared values that bind our nation. This nationwide initiative provides opportunities for every citizen to participate in various ways, empowering them to contribute meaningfully  through  its  sub-campaigns:  Sabko  Nyaya  HarGhar  Nyaya,  Nav  Bharat  Nav Sankalp, and Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyaan.

Through the network of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) of the Common Service Centres (CSCs), over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats have been engaged in reading the Panch Pran Pledge in  regional  languages.  In  25  States/Union  Territories,  citizen-centric  service  fairs  called 'Nyaya Sewa Melas' have been organized. Online competitions such as the Samvidhan Quiz, Panch  Pran  Rangotsav  (poster-making),  and  Panch  Pran  Anubhav  (reel-making)  were launched  on  the  MyGov  platform.  To  enhance  constitutional  education,  the  campaign  has involved  law  students  and  partnered  with  agencies  like  Doordarshan  and  IGNOU's  Gyan Vani and Gyan Darshan platforms.As of June 30, 2024, 1.60 lakh citizens have participated in the 'Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman' campaign nationwide. Information to popularize the  understanding  of  the  Constitution  as  part  of  this  campaign  is  regularly  updated  on  the Department of Justice website https://doj.gov.in/.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) is also implementing a dedicated program for legal literacy and legal  awareness  under  the  scheme  of  the  "Designing  Innovative  Solutions  for  Holistic Access to Justice" (DISHA), introduced in 2021. As of June 30, 2024, the legal awareness has reached 15.30 lakh individuals through community engagement, webinars, and the dissemination of educational materials on the Constitution, legal rights, and duties.

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), through its Legal Services Authorities at the  state,  district,  and  taluk  levels,  conducts  legal  literacy  and  awareness  programs  and campaigns to educate the general public about their rights, benefits, and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution and other enactments. NALSA through the Legal Services Authorities has undertaken  the  following  steps  to  popularize  the  understanding  of  the  Constitution  and  to increase the awareness about the legal rights:

(i) A  six-week-long  Pan  India  Legal  Awareness  and  Outreach  Campaign  was organized  from  October  2  to  November  14,  2021,  as  part  of  the  'Azadi  Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.  Conducted  in  four  phases,  the  campaign  reached  6.7  lakh  villages  and 4100 municipal towns across the country to raise awareness about the availability of free legal services. Additionally, 1623 Legal Services Mega Camps (NALSA Module) were held in 735 districts, benefiting 75,64,236 people.

- (ii)      A  nationwide  legal  awareness  and  outreach  program  titled  'Empowerment  of Citizens through Legal Awareness and Outreach' was conducted from October 31 to November 13, 2022. The campaign aimed to bridge the gap between institutions and the underprivileged by spreading legal awareness and ensuring the delivery of legal entitlements  to  eligible  beneficiaries.  It  was  organized  across  all  villages  and  subdivisions of every district in India. Concurrently, the 'Haq\_humara\_bhi\_to\_hai@75' campaign was launched, focusing on providing basic legal assistance to individuals confined in prisons and child care institutions.

The Legal Services Authorities have conducted a range of legal awareness programs covering various laws and schemes related to children, laborers, disaster victims, SC/ST communities, and  persons  with  disabilities. Additionally,  they  have  created  and  distributed  booklets  and pamphlets in accessible language to inform the public about these laws.To effectively reach vulnerable sections of society, NALSA has developed and implemented a Module for Legal Services  Camps  through  Legal  Services  Institutions.  This  approach  marks  a  shift  from traditional  methods  of  general  legal  awareness  to  a  model  focused  on  true  empowerment, grounded in need-based  analysis  and  targeted  action.  The  Legal  Empowerment  Camps  are designed  to  serve  not  only  the  weak  and  marginalized  sections  but  also  those  residing  in remote and far-flung areas, aiming to bridge information gaps and ensure access to citizens' rightful entitlements. Since the framework's approval in December 2017, these camps have been  organized  nationwide  with  a  three-fold  objective:  firstly,  to  spread  awareness  about various welfare legislations and schemes; secondly, to identify and reach out to individuals who need legal assistance; and lastly, to provide tailored solutions to legal issues.In 20232024 alone, 30,043 legal awareness camps were organized, benefiting 11.46 lakh citizens.To further enhance and educate citizens on existing awareness programs, campaigns, and other legal aid avenues, NALSA leverages mass media platforms and Legal Services Institutions.

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