Bhubaneswar, November 3: The Odisha State Bar Council (OSBC) has thanked the State Government for increasing the death benefit cum retirement assistance provided to advocates under the Advocates’ Welfare Fund from 6.30 lakh to Rs 9 lakh.

The State Government issued an official notification on November 2, 2026, announcing the increase and fulfilling the State Bar Council's long-standing demand.

OSBC Chairman Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi, along with all members of the Council, extended their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the State Government for the significant decision.

The State Bar Council has been pursuing several key demands concerning the welfare and professional security of advocates in the state. These include increasing the State Government’s annual contribution to the Advocates’ Welfare Fund from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore, extending the Madhu Babu Health Insurance Scheme to advocates, establishing an Advocates’ Academy and enacting an Advocates Protection Act.

On August 3, 2026, following an invitation from Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, a delegation of the State Bar Council held detailed discussions with him on these demands. The delegation comprised Chairman Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi, Executive Chairman Arupananda Das and senior advocates Bibhu Prasad Tripathy, Dhananjay Mund, Atma Prakash Mohanty and Akshaya Kumar Samantaray.

During the meeting, the Law Minister assured the delegation that the State Government would sympathetically consider the issues raised by the Council.

The enhancement of retirement assistance to Rs 9 lakh is seen as the fulfilment of one of the key assurances given by the Law Minister. Expressing appreciation for the initiative, the OSBC Chairman and members thanked Prithviraj Harichandan and the State Government for responding positively to their long-standing demand.

The Council has also urged the Law Minister to take early steps towards fulfilling the remaining commitments, particularly the establishment of an Advocates’ Academy and the introduction of a comprehensive health insurance scheme for advocates.

On behalf of the entire advocate fraternity, Chairman Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi and the members of the State Bar Council have conveyed their sincere gratitude to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan for enhancing the retirement benefits.

Expressing confidence that the State Government would also positively consider the remaining demands, Dwivedi appealed for their early implementation in the larger interest of the legal fraternity and the welfare of advocates across Odisha.