M.P. Law Commission to be revived : CM

Bhopal : The Law Commission in Madhya Pradesh would be revived. The state government will provide an assistance of lump sum amount of Rs. 12,000 to the new entrants in the profession of law to help them start practice and set up their offices etc. This was announced by the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan while addressing the Advocates Panchayat (dialogue forum) CM House here today.

Agreeing in principle to enact Advocates’ Protection Act, Shri Chouhan said that opinion of legal experts would be sought.

Minister for Law Dr. Narottam Mishra, Member of Rajya Sabha Shri Prabhat Jha and advocates in a large number were present.

The Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the advocates will now have representation in the revenue board. He announced financial assistance of Rs. One lakh for the families of advocates in case of death. The Bar Council will contribute Rs. One lakh. Thus the bereaved families will have Rs. Two lakh. He said that a fund would be created for treatment of advocates suffering from serious diseases. Libraries at Tehsil level would be enriched. Law officials and government pleaders would get enhanced honourarium. The bar council associations will be provided lands for their officers at nominal rates on the basis of availability of land. Legal opinions for raising fee for appeal relating to the cases of motor vehicle accidents would be sought. The state government extend all possible cooperation for constructing the building of bar council at Jabalpur. It would also be considered to reduce the period of appointment of notary. The electricity bills of the offices of bar associations would be paid by the state government upto a certain limit.

Underlining the contribution of advocates in nation building, Shri Chouhan urged them to contribute to re-building of the state. Elaborating the state’s progress, he said that the growth rate has touched all time high 11.98 percent. The agriculture growth rate has gone up to 18 percent the highest in the country. He said that skill development mission has been launched to impart vocational training to 15 lakh youths. Vocational university will soon come up. He said that the state government has started the process of seeking opinion and inputs from the concerning groups of stakeholders before finalizing policies and programmes.

Minister for Law Dr. Narottam Mishra described the Advocates’ Panchayat as unique. Advocate General Shri R. D. Jain said that in the history of 56 years, this is a unique initiative to hold dialogue with the advocate fraternity. Principal Secretary Law Shri K. D. Khan said that the advocates’ Panchayat will be memorable event. State Bar Council Association’s president Shri Shivrendra Upadhyaya presented a charter of demands and highlighted the issues of advocates.

Government Advocates’ Council president Shri Ramenra Singh Gaud urged to raise the honourarium of government pleaders.

President of the Legal Cell of BJP Shri Shantilal Lodha read out citation for the Chief Minister saying that it is country’s first Panchayat of Advocates. Bhopal Bar Association presented a memento to the Chief Minister.

Bar Council of India’s vice chairman Shri Zafar Khan said that the decision of the Panchayat would widely informed across the country. State Bar Council’s vice chairman Shri Bal Chandra Upadhyay, State Bar Council’s executive committee’s chairman Shri Vijay Choudhari, chairpersons of High Court Bar Council Associations of Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior underlined the need for improving infrastructures and facilities at district court’s for the lawyers.

Honour for Senior Lawyers

The Chief Minister felicitated the senior lawyers for their contribution to the profession of law and setting up high standards in the legal profession. The honoured lawyers included – Shri Basanti Lal Patha, Shri Ramnarayan Verma, Shri Puran Chandra Jain, Shri Dayashankar Vyas, Shri Dheeraj Singh Solanki and Shri Shriram Bhargava.

Those present were Chief Secretary Srhi R. Parasuram, state bar council’s former chairman Shri Rameshwar Neekhra and lawyers from across the state in a large number. Law Secretary Shri R. K. Verma conducted the Panchayat.