NCU Law Students shine in LLM CLAT (PG)

The BBA-LLB students put up an admirable performance in LLM CLAT 2017 conducted for admission to the National Law Universities across the country. Raghav Kumar (Class of 16) achieved the Best All India Rank (AIR) of 23. He opted for NUJS, Kolkata. From the Class of 2017: Yogita Bangar was the Best Performer (AIR 43)-admission in NLSIU, Bengaluru; Urvashi Bhardwaj admission in NLSIU, Bengaluru; Akansha Gupta admission in NALSAR, Hyderabad; Surabhi Sharma and Prashant Tiwari admission in GNLU, Gandhinagar.

Legal Aid to Citizens of Gurugram

Dr. Praveen Kumar Lohchab

Asst. Professor (Sel. Grade)

School of Law

The NorthCap University, Gurugram

Legal aid may be taken to mean free legal assistance to the poor persons in any judicial proceedings before the Court, Tribunals or any authority. It intends to provide free legal assistance to the poor persons who are not able to enforce the rights given to them by law. Justice P.N. Bhagwati has clearly stated that legal aid means providing an arrangement in the society which makes the machinery of administration of Justice easily accessible and in reach of those who have to resort to it for enforcement of rights given to them by law. He has rightly said that the poor and the illiterate should be able to approach the courts and their ignorance and poverty should not be an impediment in the way of obtaining justice from the Courts. The constitution of India gives much importance to rule of law. In India, it is regarded as a part of the basic structure of the Constitution and also of natural justice. Free legal aid to the poor and weak persons has been held to be necessary adjunct of the rule of law.

Legal aid in India

The preamble of the Indian constitution aims to secure to the people of India justice – socio economic and political. Article 38 and 39A of the Indian constitution are notable. Article 38(1) states- the State shall promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting the social order including justice and Article 39-A of the constitution states that the state shall in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen.

Obstacles to Legal Assistance

At present the legal aid movement in India is unorganized, diffused and sporadic. There is lack of co-ordination in it. The ideal of equal access and availability of legal justice has reached almost breakdown point. There is a wide gap between the goals set and met. One law firm recently commented in a survey, “We no longer do pro bono work; we are too busy trying to survive”. Lawyers don’t engage themselves in pro bono activities because of various reasons. There is lack of financial resources. 

Illiteracy is also a major obstacle to legal aid. Now it is common knowledge that about 70% of the people living in rural areas are illiterate and even more then that are not aware of the rights conferred upon them by law. It is the absence of legal awareness which leads to exploitation and deprivation of rights and benefits of the poor. 

In order to provide legal assistance to the citizens of Gurugram, School of Law at The NorthCap University, Gurugram is running Legal Aid Clinic since 2010. NCU Law School is amongst Top Law School in Haryana and was established in 2010. NCU Law School is a premier institution; offers 5 years integrated BBA LLB (Hons.) degree, LL.M degree and Ph.D in Law.  Hundreds of poor litigants visit NCU Legal Aid Clinic for legal assistance regarding their family disputes, land disputes, tenancy right and other litigations every year. Moreover, NCU Legal Aid Clinic organizes at least two Legal Aid Camps in surrounding regions every year. NCU Legal Aid Clinic wishes to provide legal assistance to the needy and poor people outside Gurugram also in coming future.

Demonetization of Indian Currency

Tanish Khandelwal

Student, BBA-LLB(Hons.)

School of Law

The NorthCap University, Gurugram

Summary of PM Shri Narendra Modi’s Statement:

Enough is Enough! Need to take a strong step! Need to stop black money and corruption!

Earlier Steps’ Outcome:

In the past two and a half years, over Rs1.25 lakh crores of black money had been recovered from outside India.

New Law:

From 12:00 am of 9th November 2016, currency notes of Rs500 and Rs1000 become void. It will not be in circulation.

Procedure for conversion/ deposit of old currency notes:

1. From 10th November 2016 to 30th December 2016, a person can deposit in Banks or in Post offices. (An appropriate 50 days of time span is allowed)
2. From 10th November to 30th December 2016, a person can withdraw from Banks, Post offices and Sub Post offices by producing any valid nationality card like Aadhar Card, Voter Card, Ration Card, Pan Card, Passport etc. as evidence and exchange his/ her money.
3. A person needs to deposit the old currency notes in his/ her bank account. 
4. For now, the limit for withdrawal from bank accounts is maximum of Rs 10,000 per day uptoRs 20,000per week. (It may increase as per time).
5. For them who are unable to exchange upto 30th December 2016, for any reason, they will get a chance to deposit till 31st March2017 in any RBI branch with a valid declaration letter.

ATM Procedure:

Initially the limit on withdrawal from ATMs will be Rs2,000 per day per card, which will later be increased to a limit of Rs 4,000 per day.

Exemptions:

Some exemptions are allowed on humanitarian ground and situations of emergency.

A time period of 72 hours is allowed i.e. from 9th November to 11th November 2016 midnight.

Transaction of old currency notes of higher denomination is acceptable:

• In Government Hospitals and Pharmacies.
• In purchasing of tickets of Railways, Airlines, Buses (only for purchasing of tickets).
• at permitted Ration Shops by Central Government and State Governments, subject to the condition that these shops have to keep the records in proper register on daily basis.
• In payment for CNG, Petrol etc. of Public Sector Undertakings (record on daily basis).
• For International Airports the limit is of 5k, same with of foreign currency.

Important Notes:

1. It will not affect the e-transactions or non-cash transactions i.e. payments by checks, demand drafts, debit credit cards.
2. RBI has taken a decision for all Banks to be closed on 9th November 2016 and open on 12th and 13th November 2016.
3. Notes of Rs100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 will have no effect.

Reasons for the Change:

1. The Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) has put India at rank 76 out of 168 countries in its latest Corruption Perception Index.
2. Counterfeit currencies are being used for financing terrorism.

Prime Minister’s Appeal:

• Need for corporation.
• No need to hurry.
• Your money will be yours only.