EPS urges Tamil Nadu govt to extend Rs 50 lakh aid to kin of advocates who died of Covid

CHENNAI: Leader of the opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday urged the Tamil Nadu government to extend a financial aid of Rs 50 lakh each to the bereaved families of advocates who died of Covid-19.
Palaniswami also asked the government to extend Covid relief to the advocates and advocate clerks immediately. “The DMK government has not announced a Covid relief. The young advocates not being given Covid relief causes disappointment and sadness,” he said in a statement.
The former chief minister said there were representations from unorganised workers seeking Covid relief during the assembly session in February last. The representations were from teachers of private schools, drivers of private buses, autorickshaws and taxis, young advocates and advocates recommended by Bar Council and advocate clerks. “I was to announce a special relief to the sections that were hugely affected. However, much of the welfare schemes could not be announced since the Election Commission announced the date of polls,” he said.
The court proceedings had been through videoconference due to the pandemic since last year. The advocates were unable to gain experience directly, such as seeing the argumentative skills of the seniors, speaking directly to the petitioners and respondents and hearing the grievances clearly. “Many advocates face experience and economic hardships,” Palaniswami said.
The former chief minister said the previous AIADMK regime had increased the advocates welfare fund to Rs 7 lakh, announced monthly aid of Rs 3,000 to 1,000 lawyers, extended fixed deposit of Rs 1 crore to set up libraries in advocates’ associations, opened seven law colleges and National Law University in Srirangam and Dr Ambedkar Law University-School of Excellence in Law at Rs 100 crore in Taramani.