Free legal aid income limit increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh after 13 years

The Government of Gujarat has increased the income limit for availing free legal aid for citizens belonging to economically weaker and lower-middle-class sections of society. The income limit has been raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh.

A meeting of the state cabinet was held in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Gujarat spokesperson Minister Rushikesh Patel stated that under the Constitution of India, free and competent legal aid is considered a right of every citizen. To ensure that the weaker sections of Gujarat receive rightful access to legal services, the state government has taken this important step to increase the income limit to ₹3 lakh.

“In order to ensure that the maximum number of citizens from the weaker sections in the state can benefit from free and competent legal services, this provision has once again been amended,” said Patel.

Who is eligible for free legal aid?

 As per the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority was established under the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority Act, 1997. According to Section 12 of this law, free legal aid is provided to individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, children, persons with disabilities, industrial workers, and others whose income falls below the prescribed limit.

Due to rising inflation, the state government amended Rule 20 in 2012 and increased the income limit for availing legal aid to ₹1 lakh. However, the government has once again revised the provision and decided to raise the income threshold. As per the new decision taken in a cabinet meeting, the income limit has now been set at ₹3 lakh.