BHUBANESWAR: Lawyers have pressed the Government to address the problems of the needy and the poor among the fraternity and extend support to the Advocates’ Welfare Fund instituted by the State Bar Council. The Fund was instituted by the Council with the State Government committing a matching grant for the purpose. However, the Government has not shown any inclination to extend support despite the Council collecting contributions from advocates and even beginning to disperse financial assistance to the needy. But as the Government’s matching grant is not forthcoming, the funds are not being raised to a level so as to be of substantial help to anybody, the All Orissa Lawyers’ Association (AOLA) on Thursday complained. The Association also used the platform of the 40th All Orissa Lawyers’ Conference, organised by the Bhubaneswar Bar Association, here to demand the promised land for its own building here. The then Law minister last year had stated that the land was being allotted in favour of the Association but nothing has progressed since, general secretary, AOLA, Gyanranjan Mohanty said. The two-day conference, attended by lawyers from across the State, is also scheduled to deliberate on the role of lawyers in the present legal system, role of media and also necessity to amend the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Justice A K Patnaik of the Supreme Court indicated that certain sections of the Land Acquisition Act were being misused by the State Government. He also called upon the media to be responsible while reporting on matters that are sub judice. Expressing support to the Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju on certain issues, he said media can ensure justice is done but cannot replace the law of the land under which a trial is to take place. Inaugurating the conference, Justice A K Ganguly of the Supreme Court said the role of a lawyer is more difficult than that of a judge as the former at once is mouthpiece of client, officer of court as well as guardian of justice and fairness. S/he has the prime duty of correcting the institution. Former Justice of the Supreme Court Arijit Pasayat had special praise for the lawyers practising in subordinate judiciary. The image of the judiciary is intact because of the stupendous work done by the lawyers at the grassroots, he said. Among others, president, AOLA, Dharanidhar Nayak, Reception Committee chairman Manas Mohapatra, Bhubaneswar Bar Association president Hrudananda Routray and secretary Prashanta Kumar Sahoo spoke.
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