HC notice to Govt on plea to hike retirement money of lawyers

The Delhi High Court today issued a notice to the Centre and city government on a plea seeking to review and increase the amount payable to an advocate on cessation of practice.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw sought response from Ministry of Law and Justice, Delhi government and Advocates' Welfare Fund Trustee on the plea seeking enhancement of the amount payable to advocates retiring from the profession.
The court has fixed the matter for next hearing on September 10.
The petitioner-lawyer O P Faizi has sought the hike in payment on the ground that "the amount payable to the advocate members of the fund under the Central Act is too meager to be called a financial assistance in consonance with dignity of the profession and the growing needs in old age."

The petition, filed through Ashish Aggarwal, also said the amounts payable under the Advocates' Welfare Fund Act, which governs the advocate members in the Delhi is "meager" in comparison with the amounts payable to the advocate members of other states like Rajasthan and Kerala.
Advocate Neeraj Chowdhary appeared for the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The petition seeks to "direct the Centre and Delhi government to take a considered and conscious decision for amending Schedule-I to the Advocates' Welfare Found Act, 2001, for upward revision and review of the quantum of payment to which Advocate Members of the Welfare Fund are entitled on cessation of practice."

"Direct the respondents to appropriate sufficient and reasonable amount of grant every year as their contribution to the Advocates' Welfare Fund under section 3(d) of the Advocates' Welfare Fund Act, 2001...," the petition said.