CM Advocates Welfare Scheme: Delhi High Court gives two weeks to advocates to furnish complete personal information

The Delhi High Court has given a time period of two weeks to advocates claiming benefits under the Chief Minister’s Advocates Welfare Scheme to furnish complete personal information to the Aam Aadmi Party government. (Bar Council of Delhi vs GNCTD, Govind Swaroop vs GNCTD).A Single Judge Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh has ordered, ."The two weeks’ time shall commence from 28th December, 2020, by which time, the circular would be prepared and widely circulated amongst all the members of the BCD. This order shall extend to only those lawyers who had registered prior to the deadline fixed and shall not extend to lawyers who had not previously registered.".The order was passed after the Delhi government and the insurance companies pointed out that there were various discrepancies in the data furnished by lawyers in respect of their dependents and other details. .Delhi government stated that to facilitate the process of issuance of documents for insurance policies, it proposed to re-open the link to enable lawyers to complete their data..New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL) submitted that cards could only be issued when the data was complete with accurate details. .Until then, cashless services would be provided by NIACL and claims would be reimbursed once the data was completed, NIACL added. .In view of the above, the Court asked the Delhi government, as well as the Bar Council of Delhi, to prepare a circular informing all advocates of the effect and benefits of the NIACL policy and the fact that they were required to update/rectify/provide their details. .As per the Court's direction, the said circular shall be published on all the websites of the various Bar Associations. .The Chief Minister’s Advocates Welfare Scheme was approved by the Delhi Government earlier this year. The Scheme provides several benefits to Delhi lawyers, including Group (Term) Insurance, Group Medi-Claim, e-library and creche for advocates in Delhi. .Delhi HC asks Delhi Govt to purchase insurance policies under CM's Advocates Welfare Scheme.While Group (term) life-insurance policies is being provided by Life Insurance Corporation of India to 28,774 lawyers. .NIACL was chosen was for group medi-claim insurance policies for 29,077 advocates. .The Court is presently examining whether the Scheme would extend to NCR-based advocates who are registered with the Bar Council of Delhi. .Read the Order: