Advocates’ panel to provide aid to members

Ranchi: The Advocate Welfare Trustee Committee will extend financial aid of up to Rs 5,000 to its members in the state who are facing economic hardship due to the prolonged lockdown.
In an affidavit filed before an HC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice S N Prasad, the Jharkhand State Bar Council (JSBC) said the advocates’ committee has decided to give financial assistance to its members. The committee has forwarded the proposal to JSBC for approval and will take a decision on the issue shortly.
Chairman of JSBC Rajendra Krishna, who took part in the proceeding, said, “The submission was made during a hearing on a host of PILs related to advocates’ welfare. The benefits will be provided to the lawyers immediately after a decision is taken.”
Advocate general Rajiv Ranjan said, “The committee will give assistance up to Rs 5,000 to its needy members.”
Notably, the Bar Council of India (BCI) had informed the HC that it will allocate Rs 45 lakh to provide for basic requirement of the lawyers facing difficulties during the lockdown. The JSBC has also promised to allocate fund from its reserve to provide foodgrains, medicines and other necessities to the lawyers. The court also directed that the state should frame rules for the Advocates’ Clerks Welfare Act.
In another hearing of a PIL regarding a mentally challenged child, the division bench disposed it off after providing relief. The 11-year-old child was reportedly kept tied to a pillar for the past seven years in Bhandaria police station area of Garwah district. Lawyer Manoj Tandon, who filed the PIL, said, “Upon direction of the high court, the district legal service authority, Garwah, has freed the child and provided him with cloth, food and medical treatment at a local hospital. The DLSA secretary has submitted an affidavit to this effect before the bench.”
Meanwhile, The Jharkhand high court has cancelled its summer vacation, which was scheduled from May 18 to June 6. A notification in this regard has been uploaded on its official website.