SCAORA Revises COVID-19 Financial Scheme To Aid Lawyers

In a virtual meeting held on Monday, the Executive Committee of Supreme Court Advocate-On-Record Association (SCAORA) resolved that the COVID-19 financial assistance scheme will be revised to benefit all the Advocate-On-Record as well as the Advocates who are in Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) voters list and are in dire need of financial assistance. 

However, the EC also mentioned that each application will be scrutinized as to its veracity and sanctioned only after due approval by the EC of SCAORA and the sole discretion for approval and non-approval of applications under the said scheme shall vest exclusively with the EC of SCAORA. 

It has been decided that AORs or Advocates whose name is included in the voters list of SCBA 2019 and wants to avail the benefits of the said scheme may furnish a declaration/undertaking wherein the following details need to be specified:

1. AOR Code in case of an AOR and the membership number and other details of the Advocates whose name is included in the voters list of SCBA 2019, along with the serial number in the voter list;
2. The AOR or Advocate applying under the said scheme are in dire need of financial aid and are facing grave financial hardship, on account of the lockdown due to the pandemic of COVID-19;
3. The  income of the AOR or the Advocate availing the benefit of the scheme is less than Rs. 6 Lakhs (Rupees Six Lakhs) per annum;
4. That no COVID-19 related assistance or benefit, including loan, has been received by the applicant, from any other Bar Association during this period.

Along with the declaration, following details are required to be submitted by the one seeking benefit of the scheme

1. Full Name
2. Date of Birth
3. AOR CODE / SCBA Membership No. 
4. Whether he/she has a spouse who is a salaried employee – Yes Or No
5. Whether he/she is living with the parents having fixed monthly income.  Yes Or No
6. Whether living in a rented premises 
7. I.T. Returns of the preceding financial year. 
8. Bank Account details:
9. Name of the Bank 

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

iii) Account Number

iv) Type of Account 

v)  Branch 

vi) IFSC Code

The last date for email of applications is 30.04.2020. AORs and Advocates who are eligible may email applications bearing the aforesaid details to- [email protected].

The EC has also assured that the identity of the AOR/Advocate seeking benefit under the Scheme will be kept confidential as far as possible. The amount decided for the one time financial assistance offered as an ex gratia amount under the scheme is Rs.10,000/- .

-India Legal Bureau