New Delhi: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma on Thursday raised the issue of the effectiveness of free legal aid services in Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha, seeking details of the Centre’s assessment of the DISHA Scheme and measures being taken to strengthen legal aid for economically weaker sections.
In a written reply to the unstarred question, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said an independent third-party evaluation by the Quality Council of India had found the DISHA Scheme effective, following which it has been extended as DISHA 2.0 for the period 2026-31 across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister informed the House that DISHA 2.0 integrates the Tele-Law programme, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services), Legal Literacy and Awareness initiatives and the technology-enabled VIDHI-Sanjeevani platform to improve access to legal services.
According to the reply, over 7.63 lakh pre-litigation legal consultations had been provided in Jammu and Kashmir through the Tele-Law programme as of June 30, 2026, using Common Service Centres at the panchayat level. Eight Nyaya Sahayaks deployed across 10 Aspirational Blocks had facilitated 1,222 legal assistance calls, while 197 advocates from the Bar Council of Jammu and Kashmir are registered under the Nyaya Bandhu programme to provide free legal assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
The minister also said DISHA 2.0 will introduce the VIDHI-Sanjeevani platform, an integrated digital dashboard with AI-enabled support through the Nyaya Setu chatbot to strengthen monitoring and service delivery. The initiative aims to reach 50 lakh beneficiaries nationwide during the 2026-31 period.
Reacting to the reply, Sharma said access to justice should not depend on a person’s financial condition or place of residence. He said the figures presented in Parliament reflected efforts to expand legal services to rural and remote areas through technology and grassroots institutions.
The BJP leader also said raising the issue in Parliament was aimed at ensuring that people in Jammu and Kashmir continue to benefit from accessible and efficient legal services. He appreciated the Centre’s initiatives to strengthen legal aid and make the justice delivery system more citizen-centric.
