**Summary:**
The Ministry of Law and Justice is implementing the Tele-Law Programme under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice India (DISHA) scheme. This initiative aims to provide free legal advice to citizens, particularly in rural and remote areas, by connecting them with lawyers via video conferencing through Common Service Centres (CSCs). The DISHA scheme seeks to ensure easy, accessible, affordable, and citizen-centric legal services, aligning with the constitutional mandate outlined in the Preamble and Articles 39A, 14, and 21 of the Constitution.
The Tele-Law program extends to all districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Katni, Panna, and Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district). As of June 30, 2025, the program's impact in these areas is as follows:
* **Katni:** 151 active CSCs, serving 6,518 beneficiaries.
* **Panna:** 218 active CSCs, serving 34,998 beneficiaries.
* **Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district):** 558 active CSCs, serving 110,320 beneficiaries.
The Tele-Law services are also accessible through a mobile app and a toll-free number (14454). The pre-litigation advice provided covers a range of legal issues, including revenue matters, property disputes, accidental claims, women and child safety, rights of senior citizens, and family/matrimonial disputes.
Key Entities Referenced
TeleLaw Programme: A government program providing free legal advice through Common Service Centres (CSCs), especially in rural and remote areas.
Common Service Centres (CSCs): Facilitates access to various government services, including Tele-Law, in rural areas.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where the TeleLaw Programme is being implemented.
Katni: A district in Madhya Pradesh covered under the TeleLaw Programme.
Panna: A district in Madhya Pradesh covered under the TeleLaw Programme.
Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency: A Lok Sabha constituency which includes the town of Khajuraho and surrounding areas.
Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice India DISHA: A scheme implemented by the Department of Justice that includes the TeleLaw programme.
Articles 39A, 14 and 21 of the Constitution: Articles of the Constitution of India relevant to the DISHA scheme's aim to provide access to justice.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
*****
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 951
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
PROVISION OF FREE LEGAL ADVICE
951. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is implementing the Tele-Law Programme to provide
free legal advice through Common Service Centres (CSCs), especially in rural and
remote areas of Madhya Pradesh;
(b) if so, whether the districts of Katni, Panna and the town of Khajuraho in the
Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency have been covered under this scheme;
(c) if so, the number of beneficiaries, CSCs involved and types of legal issues
addressed; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor along with the steps being taken to implement Tele-
Law services in these areas?
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) & (b): Tele-Law programme is one of programmes under the scheme of
“Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice India (DISHA)
which is being implemented by the Department of Justice. The scheme of DISHA
aims to fulfil the Constitutional mandate as enunciated under the Preamble and
1Articles 39A, 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The DISHA scheme provides easy,
accessible, affordable and citizen- centric legal services to the citizens through
Tele-Law and other components. The Tele-Law connects citizens with the lawyers
through video conferencing facilities through Common Services Centres (CSCs)
in 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayat (GPs) across the country. The services under Tele-
Law are also available through Tele-Law Mobile App and through Toll Free
Number, 14454. The Tele-Law programme covers all districts of Madhya Pradesh
including the districts of Katni, Panna and town of Khajuraho (Chhatarpur
district).
(c) & (d): The number of beneficiaries and associated CSCs in the districts of
Katni, Panna and town of Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district) is as under: -
Name of the No. of active CSCs Beneficiaries
District/Town
(as on 30th June, 2025)
Katni 151 6,518
Panna 218 34,998
Khajuraho (Chhatarpur) 558 1,10,320
Further, the types of pre-litigation advice rendered under Tele-Law program inter-
alia, include the issues related to Revenue matters, Property disputes, Accidental
Claims, Women and Child safety, Rights of Senior Citizen, Family and
Matrimonial disputes.
2