​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, August 2:Odisha State Bar Council (OSBC) Chairman Sitanshu Mohan Dwibedy has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging the state government to increase its grant to the Advocates' Welfare Fund Trust from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore.

In his letter, Dwibedy also sought an increase in the Retirement-cum-Death Benefit for advocates from the existing Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh. He pointed out that the Advocates' Welfare Trust Committee, through a resolution passed on December 24, 2024, had unanimously recommended raising the benefit to Rs 9 lakh.

Referring to the government's recent decision to enhance the Retirement-cum-Death Benefit to Rs 6.30 lakh, Dwibedy said the amount falls short of the committee's recommendation. He stated that the legal fraternity had expected the benefit to be increased to Rs 9 lakh and that the lower enhancement would continue to place financial strain on advocates.

The OSBC Chairman also requested the government to extend the Madhu Babu Health Insurance Scheme to all practising advocates with a health coverage of Rs 10 lakh per person.

Additionally, he urged the state government to provide land and a recurring grant to establish and operate an Advocates' Academy. He further called for the enactment of an Advocates' Protection Act to ensure the safety and security of advocates across the state.

Dwibedy also raised concerns over the recent shifting of the Advocates' Welfare Trust office from the premises of the Odisha State Bar Council. He alleged that the office was relocated from the Odisha State Bar Council premises without the knowledge or approval of the Council.

Seeking immediate intervention, the OSBC Chairman requested the Chief Minister to restore the Welfare Trust office to the Odisha State Bar Council in Cuttack, stating that the move would serve the larger interests of the legal fraternity.