SCAORA Formulates Scheme For One Time Assistance Of Rs 10,000 To Needy Members

The Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association ("SCAORA") has resolved to introduce a new COVID-19 Financial Assistance Scheme for the period between May 18 and May 31.

Through this scheme, a one-time ex-gratia amount of Rs. 10,000 can be availed by advocates who are eligible according to the terms laid down in the Resolution.

In a virtual meeting convened by the Executive Committee (EC) on May 18, it was decided that benefits of the scheme would be extended to AORs as well as advocates whose names appear in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) voters list of 2019. Other advocates, covered under special categories, who are in dire need of financial aid on account of the ongoing lockdown shall also be avail of the benefits of the scheme.

In order to avail benefits of the scheme, those eligible are required to furnish a declaration/undertaking with details regarding their AOR Code in case of AORs, or alternatively their SCBA membership number along with a statement confirming the appearance of their name in the 2019 SCBA voters' list.

Furthermore, the annual income of an applicant must be less than Rs. 8 lakh to qualify as a beneficiary of the scheme and the application must reveal a dire need of financial aid due to grave financial hardships being faced during the lockdown.

The AOR or eligible Advocate must also declare that they have not received any COVID-19 related assistance or benefit from any Bar Association during this period.

Subject to the approval of the EC, an active member of SCBA could be exempted from the condition of their name appearing in the 2019 Voter List and avail benefits of the scheme if the advocate is either in dire need of financial aid due to certain medical conditions/situations, a single woman or the widow of an AOR (since 2015).

With regard to applications, SCAORA has also clarified the following-

"The identity of the AOR/Advocate seeking benefit under the Scheme will be kept strictly confidential.

Each application will be scrutinized as to its veracity and sanctioned only after due approval by the EC of SCAORA. That upon the scrutiny and sanction of the application by the EC of SCAORA, the SC AOR WELFARE TRUST will transfer the amount to the account of the concerned AOR/ eligible ADVOCATE.

The sole discretion for approval and non-approval of applications under the said scheme shall vest exclusively with the EC of SCAORA."

The last date to apply for financial assistance under this scheme is May 31, 2020.

Read the text of SCAORA Resolution :

"18.05.2020

Respected Members,

* NEW SCAORA COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME, 2020*

In the virtual meeting of the EC of SCAORA held on 18.05.2020, it was resolved to introduce the NEW COVID-19 FINANCIAL SCHEME from 18.05.2020 to 31.05.2020, so as to extend the benefit of the scheme to all the Advocates on Record and Advocates who are members of the SCBA whose name appears in the SCBA voters list of 2019 and Advocates covered under special categories as defined in cl.2 who are in dire need of financial aid on account of the lockdown due to the pandemic COVID-19.

It was further resolved that the terms of the said NEW COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME, 2020 will be as here under;

1. Any AOR and any Advocate who is regularly practicing in Supreme Court and is a member of SCBA whose name appears in the SCBA voters list of 2019 will be eligible for the benefits of the NEW COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME, 2020.

2. Any AOR and any eligible Advocate who wants to avail the benefits of the said scheme is required to furnish a declaration/undertaking wherein the following details need to be specified;

a. AOR Code in case of an AOR and the SCBA membership number in case of eligible Advocate, along with a statement that his name appears in the SCBA voters list of 2019;

b. The AOR or eligible Advocate applying under the said scheme are in dire need of financial aid and are facing grave financial hardships, on account of the lockdown due to the pandemic of COVID-19;

c. The income of the AOR or the eligible Advocate availing the benefit of the scheme is less than Rs. 8 (Eight) Lakhs per annum;

d. That no COVID-19 related assistance or benefit, including loan, has been received by the AOR or eligible Advocate, from any other Bar Association during this period.

3. Subject to the approval of the EC of SCAORA,

I. The aforesaid criteria in clause 1 can be relaxed exceptionally to any Advocate who is an active member of the SCBA, if the Advocate is:

A. in dire need of financial aid due to certain medical conditions/situations.

B. single women;

II. Widow of AORs (since 2015)

4. The following details of the AOR or the Advocate, availing the benefit of the Scheme, are to be mentioned in the body of the email along with the aforementioned Declaration:

i. Full Name:

ii. Date of Birth.

iii. Mob. No.

iv. Address:

v. Email id:

vi. AOR CODE / SCBA Membership No.

vii. Whether he/she has a spouse who is a salaried employee – Yes Or No -

viii. Whether he/she is living with the parents having fixed monthly income. Yes Or No

ix. Whether living in a rented premises

x. I.T. Returns , if any , of the preceding financial year.

xi. Bank Account details:

xii. Name of the Bank

a) Name of the account holder as per the bank record

b) Account Number

c) Type of Account

d) Branch

e) IFSC Code

5. The identity of the AOR/Advocate seeking benefit under the Scheme will be kept strictly confidential.

6.Each application will be scrutinized as to its veracity and sanctioned only after due approval by the EC of SCAORA. That upon the scrutiny and sanction of the application by the EC of SCAORA, the SC AOR WELFARE TRUST will transfer the amount to the account of the concerned AOR/ eligible ADVOCATE.

7.The sole discretion for approval and non-approval of applications under the said scheme shall vest exclusively with the EC of SCAORA.

8. The benefit of the new scheme is a onetime financial assistance offered, as an ex gratia amount of Rs.10,000/-.

9.The last date for email of applications is 31.05.2020.

The AORs and Advocates who are eligible may email applications bearing the aforesaid details to "scaoracfas@gmail.com "

Thanking You,

Warm Regards,

Joseph Aristotle S.

Hony. Secretary, SCAORA".