The All Odisha lawyers’ Association on Wednesday expressed its gratitude to the State Government for ensuring passing of the Odisha Advocates' Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill in the monsoon session of the Assembly.
Following the court boycott agitation of the lawyers across the State on November 8 and 9 last year demanding Government grant for the welfare fund, the Government was forced to take a decision to contribute Rs 1 crore as annual grant to the fund on November 19, 2012 followed by a Cabinet approval on March 14, 2012.
According to association general secretary Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, a lawyer serving for above five years and up to 30 years will get financial help between Rs 50,000 and Rs 3 lakh from the fund.
“The amendment Bill was passed in the Assembly on August 26 this year unanimously, for which we are very grateful to the legislators,” Mohanty told mediapersons here.
The Odisha Advocates' Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill envisages providing an annual grant of at least Rs 1 crore; upward revision of application fee, annual subscription and financial assistance to lawyers.
The associations too expressed its gratitude to the Government for enhancing the cost of welfare stamps from Rs 5 to Rs 15.
“After the enhanced cost of the welfare stamp, the lawyers’ contributions to the fund will go up to Rs 1 crore every year,” added Mohanty.