Chhattisgarh: Law and Legislative Affairs Department

The Law and Legislative Affairs Department primarily serves as a legal advisor to all the Secretariat’s departments. It examines draught Orders, notifications, rules, bye-laws, regulations, Memorandums of Understanding (both Statutory and Non-Statutory), Rules, Instructions, and Drafts and drafting work connected to the Legislation of Draft Bills and Ordinances in the Legislative affairs department. The Government Business Rules, Rules 41 to 56, govern the operation of the Law Department. ILI is a prestigious Legal Research Institute founded on December 27, 1956. The Institute’s mission is to encourage advanced legal studies and research, as well as to make a significant contribution to changing the administration of justice

Organizational and Functional Setup of Chhattisgarh Affairs department

The following items have been assigned to the Department under the Government of India Allocation of Business Rules, 1961:

1. Legal advice to Ministries, including constitutional and legal interpretation, conveyancing, and employment of counsel to appear on behalf of the Union of India in High Courts and subordinate courts where the Union of India is a party.

2. Litigation in the Supreme Court and the High Courts on behalf of the Central Government and the states’ governments participating in the Central Agency Scheme.

3. Reciprocal agreements with other nations for the delivery of summons in civil cases, the execution of civil court judgements, the enforcement of maintenance orders, and the administration of the estates of foreigners who die intestate in India.

4. Authorisation of officials to sign and verify plaints or written declarations in litigation by or against the Central Government under Article 299(1) of the Constitution, and authorisation of officers to execute contracts and guarantees of property on behalf of the President.

5. Attorney General of India, Solicitor General of India, and other Central Government law officers from the States whose services are shared by the Ministries of the Indian Government.

ILS Creation 

The legal profession experienced a transformation with the evolution of civilisation, and various attempts were made to provide adequate justice and meet the legal demands of society. The formation of the Central Legal Service in 1956 was one such endeavour to meet the government’s demands qualitatively (the forerunner of the present Indian Legal Service). The Indian Legal Service was founded by the Government of India’s Ministry of Law and Justice under the Indian Legal Service Rules, 1957, which took effect on October 1, 1957.

ILS Responsibilities

The Indian Legal Service (ILS) officers in the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, the Government of India’s primary legal organ, have risen to the occasion and performed admirably. The digital revolution has altered the mechanics of information exchange, and the economy has given rise to new sources of income. ILS officers update their legal knowledge and skills to meet growing legal needs. As the Government’s Principal Legal Adviser, they have responded efficiently and quickly to the demands placed on them by the different government organisations, and they play an important role in advising and drafting work.

Secretariat in Charge 

i) The Law Secretary, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretary, Legal Advisers, and other Legal Advisers at various levels make up the Main Secretariat’s structure. The task of tendering legal assistance and conveyancing has been divided among officials into groups. Each group is often led by an Additional Secretary or Joint Secretary & Legal Adviser, supported by several additional Legal Advisers at various levels.

ii) The Central Agency Section, which is currently led by an officer of the rank of Additional Secretary and assisted by officers of the Government of India, handles litigation in the Supreme Court on behalf of all Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and some administrations of the Union Territories.

Benevolent Fund 

The Income-tax Appellate Tribunal also maintains a Benevolent Fund, whose corpus comprises voluntary contributions from officials and personnel. The patron is the President of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal. Officers and employees donate freely to this fund, and on the advice of the Rules Committee, payments are provided to officials in need of medical or other emergency assistance.

About ILI 

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) awarded the Institute its first-ever accreditation in March 2017 with an ‘A’ grade and a CGPA of 3.35 on a 4.00 point scale. Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate Laws and Management, Cyber Law, and Intellectual Property Rights Laws are among the fields of law. The Institute offers Masters in Law and Doctoral studies and PG Diploma Courses.

Conclusion 

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Department, New Delhi, has awarded the ITAT, Raipur Bench, Raipur an office space measuring 8730 sq. ft in the newly completed GPOA Building in Naya Raipur (Atal Nagar), Chhattisgarh. The newly assigned office space has been partitioned, and ITAT has been given control of the area. GeM is furnishing the office space through the procurement of furniture and fixtures. The Department administers the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the Law Commission of India. The Department is also responsible for all administrative aspects of the Indian Legal Service.