The Supreme Court Bar Association on Wednesday announced wide-ranging relief measures for its members via a circular SCBA COVID-19 GRANT SCHEME, 2021.
The contents of the circular are as under:-
1. That any member who has been diagnosed to be afflicted with Coronavirus and provides the certification from any recognized Testing Lab/ Hospital/ Mohalla Clinic/ Government Authority shall be eligible for a one-time grant of Rs 25,000.
2. Any member who has been hospitalized for up to 7 days on account of Covid shall be eligible for a further sum of Rs 25,000 in addition to the grant amount mentioned under Clause 1.
3. Any member who has been hospitalized between 8-14 days on account of Covid shall be eligible for a further sum of Rs 50,000 in addition to the grant amount mentioned under Clause 1.
4. Any member who has been hospitalized for more than 15-21 days on account of Covid shall be eligible for a further sum of Rs 75,000 in addition to the grant amount mentioned under Clause 1.
5. Any member who has been hospitalized for more than 21 days on account of Covid shall be eligible for a further sum of Rs 1,00,000 in addition to the grant amount mentioned under Clause 1.
6. The benefits under the scheme shall be extended only to members whose average taxable income for financial years 2016- 17, 2017-2018 or 2018 -19 is less than Rs 10,00,000. In case of non-availablility of the said information, self-declaration to the aforesaid effect will be considered as valid proof. However, the member shall be obligated to furnish the details as required herein at the earliest and latest by 31.12.2021.
7. Members availing the benefits under Category 1 – 5 will in addition to the condition mentioned in Clause 6 also have to produce 10 (ten) appearances between 2016–2021 in any of the calendar years or cumulative 15 appearances in any 2 years between 2016-2021. However, in case the name of the member appears even once in the voter list between 2016-2020, they are exempted from providing appearances as mentioned hereinabove.
8. Every payment so made shall be after due scrutiny and confirmation by the Finance Sub-Committee of SCBA and the decision of the Finance Sub-Committee shall be final unless decided contrary by the Executive Committee on a written recommendation of the Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee.
9. The Scheme shall be available for members who have been afflicted with the virus on or after 01.03.2021.
10. It would be open to the EC to amend, alter, change or bring to an end the present scheme subject to availability of funds with the SCBA or change in the circumstances including but not limited to the eradication of Covid from the country.
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Source: ILNS