CM Yogi Announces ₹5 Lakh Cashless Health Cover For UP Advocates, Support For 10,000+ Chambers

Lucknow, September 14: At the ceremony of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “The new generation of advocates should become guardians of constitutional values and play an important role in taking justice to the grassroots level. Only a future-ready bar can lay the strong foundation of a future-ready justice system."

The Chief Minister announced a cashless medical insurance facility of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for all advocates active in the High Court and district courts of the state. CM Yogi said, “The government will support furniture and equipment in the chambers of more than 10,000 advocates, and 400 State Law Officers will be provided tablets. Along with this, the fees of state law officers have also been increased by more than 50 percent.”

The Chief Minister highlighted, “Before 2017, 45 to 50 percent of the posts in UP Police were vacant. Transparency and accountability in the system, law and order, and judicial infrastructure were also challenges. Now, police training capacity has been increased from 3,000 to 60,000 personnel per year.”

He added, “Earlier, district courts in 10 districts functioned from temporary and rented buildings, and the chambers of advocates were dilapidated. Now, Advocate Chambers for more than 10,000 advocates have been constructed at a cost of Rs 700 crore.”

CM Yogi also announced that the amount of the Advocate Welfare Fund has been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and that the eligibility age for financial assistance to family members upon the death of an advocate has been increased from 60 to 70 years.

The Chief Minister said, “Today is an extremely important day. Along with Hindi Diwas, it is also the occasion of Hartalika Teej and Ganesh Chaturthi.” From this land of faith, he extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on Hindi Diwas, Hartalika Teej and Ganesh Chaturthi.

CM Yogi remarked, “The advocate community is an important part of the country's enlightened society. It is considered both a creator of public opinion and a symbol of public trust. From the freedom movement to the framing of the Constitution, the functioning of governance and administration in independent India, strengthening all pillars of democracy, and the current campaign of nation-building, the advocate community has played an important role.”

He further stated, “India's freedom movement remained fragmented for a long time. After Mahatma Gandhi left his legal practice in South Africa and took charge of the movement, it gained a new direction and momentum. The land of Prayagraj has also witnessed many such advocates who, while practising in the Allahabad High Court, played an active role in the freedom movement.”

The Chief Minister said, “Advocates such as Pandit Motilal Nehru and Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya gave momentum to the country and the freedom movement for a long period and stood in support of revolutionaries. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar also made significant contributions in advancing the movement for India's independence.”

Referring to the life of Dr Rajendra Prasad and his association with Prayagraj, the Chief Minister stated, “The Presidential Suite located on the banks of the Sangam reminds the nation of the President of the Constituent Assembly of India and the country's first President. Dr Rajendra Prasad used to visit Prayagraj during every Kumbh and observe Kalpavas during the Magh Mela.”

CM Yogi added, “On the occasion of the reconstruction and consecration of the Somnath Temple in independent India, the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad personally visited Somnath. To express gratitude for Dr Rajendra Prasad's contribution to the nation and his role from constitution-making to serving as the first president of independent India, the state government has decided to establish Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University in Prayagraj.”

The Chief Minister remarked, “All three major pillars of democracy function under their respective systems, but better coordination and dialogue among them make democracy more mature and stronger. The judiciary also plays an important role in advancing the objectives of the rule of law and good governance. The Bar and the Bench are two important wheels of the chariot of justice. Better dialogue and coordination between the two should always be maintained.”

CM Yogi highlighted, “Discussions in meetings between the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice are not limited only to matters related to the judiciary; issues concerning advocates are also given equal importance. As the guardian of the judiciary, the Chief Justice effectively places issues related to advocates before the government, and efforts are made to find solutions to them.”

He further said, “Mutual respect, courtesy, dialogue, coordination and cooperation between the Bar and the Bench must be continuously maintained for the administration of justice.”

CM Yogi noted, “The Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya had also drawn attention to the situation prevailing prior to 2017. At that time, the challenges were not limited to resources alone but extended to the systemic approach, transparency and accountability in administration, law and order, and judicial infrastructure.”

The Chief Minister remarked, “The police are the first link in the justice system. In 56 districts of the state, the tallest buildings include police infrastructure, police barracks or training institutions.”

Recalling a surprise inspection of a police barrack in Lucknow in 2017, he said, “Two police personnel were living there, and the roof was broken and covered with cobwebs. If police personnel are expected to perform the role of protectors day and night, in all seasons, then it is also the responsibility of the system to provide them with basic facilities.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pointed out, “The condition of subordinate courts in the state was also extremely poor. Many courts functioned from temporary and rented buildings. The government has strengthened the system of effective witness protection. Earlier, witnesses often turned hostile due to fear, making it difficult to secure convictions in serious criminal cases. The system has also been made safer by replacing old and insecure vehicles that were used to bring criminals from jail to court.”

The Chief Minister stated, “The results of reform and transformation are emerging through better coordination between the executive and the judiciary. A strong judiciary strengthens the foundation of good governance, and good governance is the first priority of an elected government.”

He informed, “The conviction rate has improved through police-prosecution coordination. By connecting the prosecution system to an online platform, arrangements have been made for timely filing of charge sheets and for presenting scientific evidence effectively before the courts. District courts and prisons have been connected through high-speed internet and video conferencing. Through the Nyaya Shruti system, virtual recording of testimony in courts has begun. The scanning and digitisation of court documents have also been accelerated.”

CM Yogi remarked that the construction of integrated court complexes in 10 districts is progressing rapidly. He appreciated the efforts of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali in this regard. He said, “These complexes will provide all judicial functions under one roof, along with residential facilities for judicial officers, chambers for advocates, sports and indoor stadium facilities, and affordable canteens for advocates.”

The Chief Minister informed us that the Fast Track Court system has been expanded for speedy justice and approval has been granted in the first phase for the establishment of 900 district-level courts.

CM Yogi stated, “Advocate Chambers for more than 10,000 advocates have already been built in Prayagraj at a cost of around Rs 700 crore. Along with this, facilities such as multilevel parking, a dining hall, common room and library have also been developed. Funds have also been made available for the construction of Advocate Chambers at the district level. Advocate Chambers have either been completed or are under construction in about a dozen districts, including Kaushambi, Lucknow, Kasganj and Shravasti.”

The Chief Minister remarked, “Three new laws have been implemented in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There was a major challenge of training advocates on a large scale for their effective implementation, but the speed with which the Bar adopted the new laws is commendable.”

He added, “The greatest strength of the justice system is the trust of the common man. The judiciary, executive and legislature meet the test of democracy only when citizens' trust remains intact. For this, timely justice is most important. A citizen must have confidence in a fair hearing, non-discriminatory treatment and equality before the law.”

CM Yogi said, “For a sensitive and empowered justice system, transparency, integrity in decisions, accountability in institutions and public trust are essential. In changing times, new challenges and opportunities such as cyber crime, artificial intelligence, data privacy, digital commerce, fintech, intellectual property and climate litigation are emerging before the law. Advocates will have to develop a deep understanding of technology, the changing economy and the transformations taking place in society.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the greatest responsibility for carrying forward the rich tradition of the Allahabad High Court rests with the new generation of advocates. He asserted, “Young advocates should not remain limited to becoming successful legal professionals alone; they should become guardians of constitutional values and sensitive and responsible citizens towards society. The responsibility of an advocate is not limited only to the outcome of a case. Their efforts can also play an important role in changing a person's trust and the direction of his life.”

During the event, CM Yogi also handed over the key of the Advocate Building. He stated, “Multilevel parking and chambers have been built in the High Court premises for more than 10,000 advocates. For basic facilities in the chambers, such as furniture and essential equipment, whatever proposal is received from the Chief Justice through the judiciary or the Bar Association, the state government will extend every possible support.”

We will not harass the innocent and will not spare the guilty: Keshav Maurya

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “Prayagraj is not only the land of the Sangam but also the land of justice, and the advocates here have played a major role in protecting democracy. The relationship between advocates and the government is linked to the shared responsibility of ensuring justice for people. Today, ease of justice is also being promoted.”

He added, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, old colonial laws have been changed. Today, criminals fear the law, and the common man's trust in the law has increased. The government's policy is clear: we will not harass the innocent and will not spare the guilty.”

The ceremony was attended by Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, Senior Justice Arindam Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Advocate General Ajay Mishra, Allahabad High Court Bar Association President Rakesh Pandey, General Secretary Akhilesh Kumar Sharma and others.