Gandhinagar: In a move aimed at expanding access to justice, the Gujarat government has increased the annual income limit for availing free legal aid from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh. The decision was announced following a meeting of the State Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

Addressing the media, Spokesperson Minister Rushikesh Patel said the decision aligns with the Constitution of India, which guarantees free and competent legal services to all citizens, particularly the weaker sections of society.

Providing further details, the Minister said that the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority Act, 1997, is currently in force in the state, in accordance with the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. These laws aim to establish legal service authorities to provide free and competent legal aid to the weaker sections of society. Under Section 12 of the Act, individuals with an income below the prescribed limit — including members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, women, children, persons with disabilities, and industrial workers — are eligible for such assistance.

As per Rule 20 of the Act, individuals whose income falls below the threshold are entitled to receive legal services for filing or defending a case in any court, except the Supreme Court. Due to rising income levels and inflation, the State Government had amended Rule 20 in 2012, increasing the annual income limit to ₹1 lakh. To extend the benefits of free legal aid to a broader section of the population, the Cabinet has now approved a further amendment to raise the limit to ₹3 lakh, Minister Patel added.

With this amendment, a significant portion of society will gain access to free legal services, allowing citizens to more easily seek legal remedies and protect their rights, he further stated. DeshGujarat