RAPOLU BHASKAR Vs. STATE OF TELANGANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The State Government decided to provide financial assistance to the needy Advocates and Advocate Clerks. Vide Order No. 411 Finance (EBS.VI) Department dated 6.5.2020 Budget release order was issued for an amount of Rs.25 crores to Law Department as additional funds. Government issued G.O.Rt No. 228 Law (E.I) Department dated 7.5.2020 immediately releasing Rs.15 crores for this purpose. The Trust is vested with the responsibility to disburse the amount to the needy Advocates and Advocate Clerks during COVID 19 pandemic.

(2.) Consequent to the above, the Trust formulated guidelines to identify the beneficiaries and to disburse the amount. Copy of the guidelines are placed on record. The Trust has fixed outer limit of 7 years standing as Advocate to claim the benefit. The Trust stipulated 12.5.2020 as last date for submission of applications. Guidelines further stipulate that the person who intends to apply for financial assistance should be in real and active legal practice at the bar; ought to have passed All India Bar examination; not receiving any monthly payment from the Advocate office where he is working as Junior Advocate; was not earning monthly income of Rs.15,000/-; spouse should not be Government/ Private employee; a person enrolled as Advocate after retirement from service is not eligible. Subsequently, the guidelines are modified by the Trust and benefit is extended to all Advocates having standing at the Bar upto 10 years and facility is provided to Advocates to make applications through Whatsapp and email to the respective Bar Associations and also extended the date of filing applications to 16.5.2020.

(3.) Wp (PIL) No. 89 of 2020 is filed by a leading practicing Advocate of this Court praying to declare the action of respondents in not providing financial assistance of Rs.40,000/- to the Advocates and Rs.20,000/- to the registered Advocate Clerks in the State of Telangana and seeks consequential direction to provide financial assistance to Advocates and Advocate Clerks.