District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)

About District Legal Services Authority:

• It is formed under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free legal aid and services to the weaker sections of this society to make sure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen because of economic or other disabilities.
• It is a statutory body organized at the district level to provide effective monitoring of legal aid programmes and their composition.
• Legal Services Authorities are statutory bodies that are formed or constituted in the various states of India by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Constitutional provision:
  • Article 39-A: Deals with the provision of providing free legal services to the citizens of India.
  • The provision applies to the citizens if they are unable to bear the expenditure of legal services. It also helps the defendant in a case by appointing a lawyer to act for him in legal aspects.
• Composition of DLSA
  • It is a body that shall be constituted by the State Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
  • The act provides that a District Authority requires the district judge as its chairman.
  • It shall also consist of a number of other members who have the experience and qualifications as prescribed by the State Government.
  • The members possessing such requirements may be nominated by the Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
  • The person to be appointed shall belong to the State Judicial Service not lowers than rank than that of a Subordinate Judge or Civil Judge posted at the seat of the District Judiciary as Secretary of the District Authority.
  • The Assistant Commissioner of the concerned District acts as the Member Secretary of the District Authority.
• The officers and other employees of the District Authority are entitled to salary and allowances and shall also be subject to such other conditions of the services as the State Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court prescribes

Q1) What are statutory bodies?

Statutory bodies are organizations or institutions that are established and governed by specific legislation or laws enacted by the government. These bodies are typically created to perform specific functions, provide essential services, regulate industries or sectors, or oversee certain aspects of public administration.

Source: District Legal Services Authority West Tripura organizes Door-to-Door Legal Aid Campaign

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