New Delhi: The Delhi High Court was informed by the Advocates Welfare Trust on Friday that it has decided to earmark Rs 1 crore to pay ex-gratia to indigent lawyers, who are its members, whether they are suffering from COVID-19 or not.
The trust, represented by Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain in his capacity as its chairperson, told a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan that the decision was taken on Wednesday and applications have been invited from advocates who are in need of the relief.
It told the court that it had earlier set aside Rs 2 crore towards the COVID-19 relief fund for its members who are indigent and suffering from COVID-19.
Besides that, Jain said, a sub-committee has also been constituted for the purpose of disbursing the funds.
Taking note of the steps being taken by the trust, the bench decided there was no need to further monitor the plea, by advocate Vaibhav Sharma, seeking ex-gratia payment of Rs 25,000 to each member of the trust who is suffering financially in the wake of coronavirus.