CM Advocates Welfare Scheme

OVERVIEW

• The Delhi High Court has directed the Life Insurance Company and the New India Assurance Company to present their officers before the court on the next hearing to decide on the premium rates for the advocates’ insurance schemes.
• The Delhi Government has approved a budget of more than Rs. 40 crores to provide life insurance and medical insurance to resident-Advocates, announced Delhi’s Law Minister on Friday.
• Insurance will be provided under the Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme, announced by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last year. The policy was recently approved by the Delhi High Court.

BACKGROUND

• In December 2019, the Delhi Government had constituted a 13-member Committee headed by Senior Advocate Rakesh Kumar Khanna to propose a scheme, as per which, an annual budget of 50 crores sanctioned by the government for the welfare of advocates can be utilised.
• The committee was prima facie of the view that the rate offered by the LIC seems to be quite competitive and can be accepted by the government. The Nodal agency for operating the said scheme shall be the Law Ministry of the Government of NCT of Delhi and it may further negotiate the premium, if it so desires.

DETAILS OF THE SCHEME (SLIDE 4, HEADING ON TOP)

- Under the scheme, 29077 eligible Advocates will be provided:

o Group (Team) Insurance for practising advocates providing life cover of Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakh) per advocate.

o Group Medi-claim coverage for the advocates, their spouse and two dependent children unto the age of 25 years, for a family floater sum insured of Rs. 5,00, 000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs).

- As per the approved policy, top private insurance companies such as New India Insurance, and Oriental Insurance, will provide medical coverage to the advocates. The premium of these policies will be paid by the Delhi Government.

- In addition to this, the Life Insurance Corporation of India will be providing life insurance to the beneficiary advocates as per the rates approved by the court.

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL BRING BENEFIT TO THE ADVOCATES DURING THE LOCKDOWN? MENTION YOUR VIEWS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!