In a bid to facilitate various social security schemes for lawyers in Delhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a budgetary provision of Rs 50 crore.
The announcement was made by the Chief Minister at an event organized at Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court Complex on February 20. The event was organized by the Bar Council of Delhi and other Bar Associations to honour CM Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Law Minister Kailash Gehlot. This was pursuant to the steps taken to provide social security schemes for lawyers. The function was attended by a massive gathering of nearly 5,000 lawyers.
While addressing the gathering, Kejriwal declared that the grant of Rs 50 crore would not be a ‘one-time’ grant but would be recurring in nature.
If more money would be required for welfare schemes, it would be provided by the State Government, he said. He also promised that social security schemes would not be defeated due to lack of funds.
The grant comes after initial funding of Rs 1 crore was granted by the Delhi Government in 2001 at the time of enactment of Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 2001. In November last year, the Bar Council of Delhi had written to the CM seeking an annual grant of Rs. 10 crore.
CM Kejriwal was also “positive” on the inclusion of advocates and their family members under the ‘Delhi Government Health Scheme’. He even ensured that advocate chambers would be included under the category ‘domestic’ for determining electricity tariff.
Further, Kejriwal appealed to the lawyers to take up the cause of “full Statehood” for Delhi. He assured that the government would take no time to implement their demand for housing schemes if it is given the power to do so.
Bar Council of Delhi Chairman KC Mittal also referred to the successful demonstration carried out by advocates across the county on February 12, seeking comprehensive schemes from Central Government. He further stated that he would ensure that the benefits of the Fund reach all needy advocates.
A seven-day budget session of the Delhi Assembly is slated to begin on February 22. Delhi’s Finance Minister will place these declarations before the Assembly in the State budget.
Read the Press Release below.
