Parliament Question: Legal aid services in Haryana

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4442 ANSWERED ON - 02/04/2026 LEGAL AID SERVICES IN HARYANA 4442. SMT. REKHA SHARMA: Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state: (a) the steps taken to improve legal aid services in Haryana; (b) the number of beneficiaries under NALSA scheme; and (c) the details of awareness programmes conducted? 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 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 the beneficiaries covered under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987, which aims to ensure that the opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. 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. Under the provision of Section 6 of the LSA Act, 1987, Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) has been constituted by the State Government. As per Section 7 of the LSA Act, “(1) It shall be the duty of the State Authority to give to effect to the policy and directions of the Central Authority. (1)(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the functions referred to in sub- section(1), the State Authority shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely:— (a) give legal service to persons who satisfy the criteria laid down under this Act; (b) conduct Lok Adalats, including Lok Adalats for High Court cases; (c) undertake preventive and strategic legal aid programmes; and (d) perform such other functions as the State Authority may, in consultation with the Central Authority, fix by regulations.” HALSA has undertaken several proactive and result-oriented steps to improve legal aid services in Haryana with a focus on accessibility, efficiency and outreach. HALSA has strengthened access to legal aid through digital and telephonic initiatives, including the introduction of an online web portal of NALSA for filing and processing legal aid applications and the operationalization of dedicated helpline number (15100), manned by advocates and retainer lawyers, to provide immediate advice and assistance. During the year 2025, 9.01 lakh persons were benefitted through legal services under the various Schemes framed by NALSA under the LSA Act, 1987. During the year 2025, HALSA has expended its outreach and legal awareness initiatives by organising legal literacy camps, awareness programmes and state-wide campaign, particularly targeting marginalised and vulnerable sections of society, including women, prisoners and rural communities. HALSA has developed and disseminated various awareness videos featuring eminent personalities and celebrities, making legal awareness more relatable and impactful for the general public. HALSA has conducted 34,325 legal awareness programmes in 2025 to make people aware of their entitlements as well as their duties under law. ***** (2)