DHCBA proposes to set up committee to disburse contribution to members of Clerks' Association; Delhi HC appreciates contributions from Bar

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has informed the Delhi High Court that it has proposed setting up a committee to disburse the contribution made by the Bar for the benefit of the Clerks' Association amid COVID-19. (Delhi High Court Bar Clerks' Association vs UOI & Ors).Financial assistance to members of the Clerks' Association can be extended after there is a recommendation to that effect by this committee, DHCBA stated. .Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur informed a Single Judge Bench of Justice Rekha Palli that the arrangement has been discussed with the Clerks' Association and they all are, in principle, in agreement. .Meanwhile, the Delhi Government also informed the Court that the Clerks' Association's representation seeking aid from the Government has been rejected. .The Court was hearing a petition by Delhi High Court Bar Clerks' Association seeking the creation of a Rs 5 crore fund for the welfare of its members, as to ensure their survival during the COVID-19 pandemic..[COVID-19] Will expeditiously examine the aspect of setting up a fund for needy members of Clerks' Association: DHCBA assures Delhi HC.On the last date of hearing, Senior Advocate Mathur, who is the President DHCBA, had assured the Court that the Bar Association would expeditiously examine the aspect of setting up a fund to provide aid to the needy members of the Court's Clerks' Association. .On Wednesday, Senior Advocate Mathur stated that while the Bar Association was conscious of the difficulties being faced by some of the members of the Clerks' Association, the Bar Association was "deeply aggrieved" by the allegations made by the Clerks' Association against advocates in general..The Clerks' Association is well aware that a number of advocates, despite being in financial difficulties themselves, were ensuring that their clerks were duly paid, Senior Advocate Mathur submitted. .Stating that more members of the Bar Association have volunteered to contribute to a fund, Senior Advocate Mathur informed that former Additional Solicitor General and Senior Advocate Maninder Acharya has generously volunteered to donate a sum of Rs 2 lakhs. .Similarly, Advocates Rishi Agarwala and Jayant Mehta have volunteered to donate sums of Rs 3 lakhs and 1 lakh respectively to the fund, as and when it is created, he added. .Senior Advocate Mathur stated that Bar Association and the Senior Counsel for the Clerks' Association were, in principle, in agreement that the amount contributed by the various members of the Bar could be deposited in the bank account of the Clerks' Association itself. .However, the funds should be released only to those who are recommended to receive the assistance by a two/three-member committee proposed to be set up by it for that purpose, he added. .In view of the submission, the Court adjourned hearing in the matter till July 9 to enable DHCBA and Clerks's Association to reach a "mutually agreed upon solution" to provide timely financial aid to the needy members of the Clerks' Association. .The Court further recorded,.This Court also appreciates the efforts of the Delhi High Court Bar Association as also the voluntary offers made by various members of the Bar to support and provide assistance to the petitioner association in these trying times .The matter would be heard next on July 9. .Senior Advocates Kirti Uppal, Inder Singh Alag with Advocates NK Aggarwal, Sanjana Antil, Yogita Sunaria, Atul Tanwar appeared for the Petitioner Association. .Standing Counsel for Central Government was represented by Standing Counsel Kirtiman Singh with Advocate Rohan Anand. .Delhi Government was represented by Additional Standing Counsel Satyakam..Senior Advocate Mathur appeared with Secretary, DHCBA Abhijat. .Delhi HC was represented by Advocates Sanjoy Ghose, Naman Jain. .BCI was represented by Advocates Preet Pal Singh and Saurabh Sharma. .Read the Order: