State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev today said that it is unfortunate to leave out half of the advocates of the state from the Chief Minister Advocate Health Scheme (MAHS). Pratul said that more than 30000 advocates currently practice in this state. But the present government has decided to add only 15000 lawyers of the Trustee Committee to this scheme. The remaining 15000 advocates will not get the benefit of this. Pratul has demanded the Chief Minister to take immediate initiative and increase the provision in the budget and add all the more than 30000 advocates of the state to it.
Pratul said that keeping Jharkhand State Bar Council out of this entire scheme also raises a big question. Pratul said that Jharkhand State Bar Council is the biggest organization of advocates of this entire state. State Bar Council has also objected to the fact that it has been kept out of this scheme which is illegal. Pratul said that the operation of this scheme has been given to the Trustee Committee whose chairman is the Advocate General. Jharkhand State Advocate Welfare Act clearly states that the Trustee Committee will spend the money in the light of the State Bar Council decision. But here giving complete power to the Trustee Committee raises serious questions. Pratul said that Jharkhand State Bar Council had also objected to this entire function and demanded to postpone it. But the government did not listen.
Pratul said that the government has announced an incentive amount of Rs 5000 per month for all new lawyers. But here also they have played a trick. Half the amount will have to be given to the trustee committee. The government will give the other half. What will the state government do if the trustee committee does not have money? The state government should take the initiative here too and pay the entire amount itself.