Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP)

The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP) of the Department of Justice has made a significant impact by reaching over 6.5 lakhs individuals through 14 implementing agencies under the DISHA scheme. This program plays a vital role in promoting legal literacy and awareness among the public, ensuring that people have a better understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities.

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What is Access to Justice

Access to justice is the fundamental ability of individuals to seek and obtain remedies for their grievances through both formal and informal channels within the justice system. True access to justice means that people, especially those from marginalized groups, are not hindered by fear or unfamiliarity with the legal system. It also means that the justice system is financially accessible, individuals have access to legal representation when needed, they possess the knowledge and information about their rights, and there is a robust and effective justice system in place. In essence, access to justice encompasses legal protection, legal awareness, the availability of legal aid and counsel, fair adjudication, and effective enforcement of legal rights.

About the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP)

Since 2012, A2J Division of the Department of Justice (DoJ), Ministry of Law and Justice has been implementing the Access to Justice Scheme in North Eastern States including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and in UT of Jammu & Kashmir.

The major focus of these programs is on the Legal Empowerment of the community, dissemination of simplified Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in local languages and dialects, and capacity development of Panchayati Raj Functionaries and Village Chiefs on formal justice delivery system.
The first phase of the A2J-NEJK Scheme was completed in 2017 and the second phase of the Scheme was completed in March 2021.
The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme aims to empower the poor and disadvantaged sections of society to seek and demand justice services.
The Programme also seeks to improve the institutional capacities of key justice service providers to enable them to effectively serve the poor and disadvantaged.

Duration of the Program

DoJ has formulated a scheme on Access to Justice named ‘Designing Innovating Solutions and Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)’ to be implemented during the period of 2021 to 2026. DISHA aims to merge different Access to Justice (North East & Jammu and Kashmir) programs being implemented by DoJ while simultaneously upscaling them to all India levels. One of the key objectives of DISHA is the implementation of the Pan India Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme.

Objectives of the Program

With the overall objective of increasing access to justice for disadvantaged sections, the Programme has the following broad deliverables:

Use of Technology for enhanced delivery of legal literacy, its Knowledge Products, and implementation of Innovative and Holistic ideas.
Mainstreaming legal literacy through building and forging partnerships across Ministries and allied Departments, Institutions, Schools, etc.
Capacity Building and Utilization of Existing Grassroot/frontline Workers/ Volunteers.
Developing Indicators to measure Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness in India.
Concurrent Evaluation and Assessment of Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programmes.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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