Government Expands Legal Aid with New Support Centers in Odisha
The Government of India is enhancing access to justice for underprivileged communities through the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, NALSA aims to provide free legal services to economically disadvantaged individuals, including those from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The initiative ensures that justice remains accessible to all citizens, regardless of their financial situation.
To effectively extend legal aid across the nation, including Odisha, NALSA has developed a framework that positions legal support institutions from the Taluk level all the way up to the Supreme Court. Recently, 132 Village Legal Care and Support Centres have been launched in Odisha by District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSCs). These centres are designed to assist marginalized populations, particularly tribal communities, with their legal challenges.
Impact of Village Legal Care and Support Centres
In an impressive display of outreach, these Village Legal Care and Support Centres have seen significant engagement in the past two years. In 2024, a total of 8,029 individuals visited these centres, with 4,593 receiving direct assistance. The following year recorded slightly fewer visits, with 7,638 people seeking help and 5,644 receiving legal support.
Lok Adalats Drive Legal Resolution
As part of the government’s commitment to alternative dispute resolution, four National Lok Adalats (NLAs) were conducted in 2025 at various levels of the judiciary, from Taluk Courts to the High Court of Orissa. These events were scheduled by NALSA to facilitate quicker resolutions of legal disputes. Moreover, a District Level Lok Adalat, focusing on cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, was successfully organized by the Odisha State Legal Services Authority on July 27, 2025.
Beyond these adalats, Odisha also boasts 22 Permanent Lok Adalats specifically tasked with addressing cases related to public utility services, further enhancing the accessibility of justice for citizens.
This vital information was disclosed during a recent session in the Rajya Sabha by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. The government’s ongoing efforts aim to eliminate barriers to justice and ensure that every citizen has equal opportunities to seek legal recourse.
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