Bhubaneswar, August 15:The Odisha State Bar Council (OSBC) celebrated the 80th Independence Day at its premises in Cuttack on Saturday, with advocates and Bar Council employees participating in the celebrations.

The programme began with the rendition of Vande Mataram, followed by the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. OSBC Chairman Sitanshu Mohan Dwibedy hoisted the National Flag on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Dwibedy paid tribute to the country's freedom fighters and national leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to India's freedom struggle.

He also highlighted several welfare initiatives being pursued by the Bar Council for the advocate community. Dwibedy said an OSBC delegation had recently met Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and submitted a five-point charter of demands aimed at the welfare and professional development of advocates.

The OSBC chairman said that the state government has responded positively to several of the key proposals, including the establishment of a Law Academy, extension of the Madhubabu Health Insurance Scheme to advocates, enhancement of the Advocates' Retirement-cum-Death Benefit to Rs 9 lakh, and an increase in the government's matching grant from Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore.

Dwibedy reiterated that the government had agreed in principle to the proposals concerning the setting up of a Law Academy, health insurance coverage for advocates, and the enhancement of the Retirement-cum-Death Benefit to Rs 9 lakh. The government has also sought the Bar Council's views on the proposed Advocates' Protection Bill.

To strengthen the professional skills of advocates, the state government has agreed to provide land for establishing a Law Academy under the Odisha State Bar Council. Until permanent infrastructure is developed, a temporary training facility will be made available, Dwibedy said.

He further said the Law Minister assured to extend health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Madhubabu Health Insurance Scheme to advocates across Odisha.