SCBA sets up COVID-19 Helpline Scheme to provide financial assistance to lawyers

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has set up a COVID-19 Helping Scheme for providing financial assistance to those lawyers in need of the same during the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic..The SCBA's scheme stipulates to set up a maximum corpus of Rs 25 lakh, which amount is being withdrawn from the sum received by the SCBA under the orders of the Supreme Court from out of costs awarded and which is lying in bank as deposit. .The object of this scheme is to aid and support those Members of the SCBA who in the present difficult time may need financial assistance to tie over the difficulties.SCBA circular.The SCBA members who would like to avail help through this scheme will have to make a declaration pertaining to no other source of income and under the scheme, a maximum of Rs 25,000 will be loaned to them..This amount will be required to be paid back by the beneficiary within a period of two years or less and the loan will be without any interest under this scheme. .The request for availing assistance under this scheme will be processed by the members of the Executive Committee (EC) of the SCBA in not more than two days, it is said, and the identity of the beneficiary will be kept confidential as far as possible. It is clarified that the books of accounts will reflect the necessary details under this scheme. .EC is honoured to come to the aid of its Members in present difficult times and urges Members to donate towards this scheme so as to compensate for expending amount from the existing deposits.SCBA Circular.[Read circular]