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New Delhi : Now, it is easier for the middle and relatively lower income group to avail the legal services of the country. The Supreme Court (SC) of India has introduced the Middle Income Group Scheme. It is a self supporting scheme which provides legal services to the middle income group citizens i.e. citizens whose gross income is not exceeding Rs 60, 000 per month or Rs 7, 50, 000 per annum.
The members of the governing body to whom the management of the Society is entrusted as required under Section 2 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as applicable to the National Capital Territory of Delhi include Chief Justice of India as Patron-in-Chief, Attorney General for India as Ex-officio Vice-President, Solicitor General of India as Secretary and other senior advocates of the Apex Court as its members. As per the Supreme Court rules it is only through advocates on record that cases can be filed before it, according to a PIB release.
A sum of Rs 500 shall be payable to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society (SCMIGLAS) as service charges. The applicant shall have to deposit the fee indicated by the Secretary, which will be in accordance with the schedule attached to the scheme. It is the Secretary, who will register the case under the MIG Legal Aid Scheme and proceed to forward the papers to the Advocate-on-Record/Arguing Counsel/Senior Counsel on the panel for opinion. If Advocate-on-Record is satisfied that it is a fit case to be proceeded with, then the Society will consider that the applicant is entitled to legal aid, said the PIB release. Under the scheme, middle class people who cant afford the expensive litigation in the Supreme Court can avail the services of the society for a nominal amount, said the PIB release.