Almora:
Advocates from the District Bar Association, Almora, submitted two separate memorandums through the Additional District Magistrate, addressing the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and the Prime Minister of India. The memorandums demand comprehensive social security measures for advocates, including life insurance, health insurance, accident coverage, a stipend for junior advocates, and a sustenance allowance for senior advocates.
The advocates highlighted that currently, members of the legal fraternity face numerous challenges, especially newly enrolled junior advocates, who struggle financially during the initial years of practice. They urged the government to introduce a monthly stipend of at least ₹20,000 for the first five years to support junior advocates and ensure their retention in the legal profession.
Furthermore, they advocated for a sustenance allowance of ₹20,000 per month for senior advocates above the age of 60, enabling them to live with dignity without financial dependency.
The memorandum suggested that these welfare provisions could be implemented using the funds collected through the sale of advocate welfare stamps. Additionally, they proposed the creation of a dedicated fund with government contributions to support these initiatives.
Key demands made in the memorandum include:
1. A minimum of ₹30 lakh life insurance, health insurance, term insurance, and accident insurance for all advocates registered with the Bar Council.
2. Free treatment, medicines, diagnostics, and surgeries at all government hospitals, medical colleges, and empaneled private hospitals for registered advocates.
3. A monthly stipend of at least ₹20,000 for junior advocates during the first five years of their practice.
4. A monthly sustenance allowance of ₹20,000 for all senior advocates aged 60 years and above.
The memorandum was signed by several advocates, including District Bar Association Vice President Advocate Kavindra Pant, former Vice President Kundan Singh Latwal, Jaman Singh Bisht, Jagdish Tiwari, Ravindra Singh Bisht, Bhagwati Prasad Pandey, Tribhuwan Pandey, Ajay Singh Mehta, Sanjay Vidyarthi, Pratap Singh Adhikari, Bhupendra Singh Kholiya, Hridayesh Dipali, Diwan Singh Latwal, and others.
The advocates urged both the central and state governments to take prompt and positive action on their demands to ensure the welfare and security of the legal community.
