Take Decision On Transferring Grant Of Rs 10 Lakhs To Advocate Clerks Welfare Fund : Karnataka High Court Asks State Bar Council

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty said:

"Perhaps with improvement in state as regards to covid-19 situation, clerks may not need immediate monetary help. It is necessary in the interest of all that the said rules (Karnataka Registered Clerks Welfare Fund Rules, 2009) are implemented so that advocates' clerks or their families will be benefited."

The bench directed the State Bar Council to take an appropriate decision, if the Bar council takes a decision of transferring a sum of Rs 10 lakh in the fund created by the said rules of 2009. "If the said decision is taken the fund can start discharging its duties effectively. We grant time of one month to BCI to take appropriate decisions," it said.

The high court by order dated 16.04.2008 had directed the state to constitute a fund called the Karnataka Registered Clerks Welfare Fund as contemplated under Section 27 of the Karnataka Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 1983.

The direction was given during the hearing of a plea filed by Karnataka State Level Advocate's Clerks Association seeking directions to provide financial aid to its members who due to the closing of courts are left with no work and thus no source of income during the lockdown.

The State Government had in July released an amount of Rs 5 crore for the benefit of Advocates and Advocates clerks who are in distress and need financial assistance due to closure of courts. Following which the BCI decided to earmark an amount of Rs 10 lakh for the benefit of registered clerks, while the remaining amount was distributed to the advocates.