Committee headed by DLN Rao has been constituted for collection of funds for Advocate Clerks: Advocates Association informs Karnataka HC

The Advocates Association, Bengaluru (AAB) has today informed the Karnataka High Court that a committee headed by Senior Advocate DLN Rao has been constituted in order to collect funds from the advocates for the benefit of distressed Advocates' Clerks amid COVID-19. .This committee along with the officer bearers of AAB have started collection of funds for the Advocates' Clerks, Advocate Anil Kumar further stated. .Taking note of these developments, a Division of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajith Shetty orally remarked, "Good, now steps are being taken in the right direction.".When asked whether any amount has been collected so far, Kumar informed that a contribution of 2.5 Lakhs has been assured by certain Advocates. Other efforts are also being made to collect more funds, he added. .Further, the Court also observed that certain state governments had undertaken to help needy advocates and advocate clerks..In this regard, the bench directed AAG Dhyan Chinnappa to place on record the stand of the state government in providing financial relief to the disadvantaged Advocate clerks in the State..Karnataka HC seeks State government's response in plea seeking financial assistance to Advocates Clerks amid COVID-19 Lockdown.This move comes after the Court had earlier expressed its displeasure over the failure of the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) and Advocates Association, Bengaluru (AAB) in raising funds for Advocates' Clerks in financial distress amid the COVID-19 lockdown..We will directly appeal to Senior Advocates to contribute funds for benefit of distressed Advocates' Clerks: Karnataka High Court.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty had orally observed,."...We don't believe that senior members of the Bar in the city will not contribute. That's what we have said in the last order. But there is no effort made.....Through the Advocate General, we (the Bench) will make a request to the senior members to appear before the Court and we will make an appeal to them...".Financial aid to lawyers' clerks amid lockdown: Karnataka HC urges State Bar Council, Advocates Association to find solution.The matter will be next heard on June 12.