Bar association at Palamu helps out distressed families

Palamu (Jharkhand), Feb 15 (PTI) Rita Devi was shatteredwhen her husband, a lawyer, died untimely in a road accidentrecently, putting her life into jeopardy.

With two minor sons to bring up, Rita was at a loss howto cope with the crisis her life was suddenly thrown into whenthe Palamu Bar Association, in which her husband Sunil Kumarwas a member, extended a helping hand.

The bar association provided Rs 75,000 from its welfarefund to Rita Devi and promised to help her in other ways too.

Subodh Kumar Sinha, the general secretary of the barassociation said, Kumar�s family was among several familieswho got the succour.

The bar was set up in 1892 and boasts 610 members todate and contributions to the welfare fund are made by membersthemselves.

Sinha said in its over-a-century existence, theassociation has helped out many distressed families.

Sunil Kumar, a young advocate of Palamu in Jharkhand,had been to Mumbai with his family recently and died there ina road accident.

Sinha said on the death of any member-lawyer, his/herfamily is given Rs 75,000 while for the purpose of marriage ofthe daughter of any member, Rs 31,000 is provided.

Sinha said efforts were on to expand the scope ofwelfare measures, but lack of support or encouragment by thegovernment was one of the major impediments.

The welfare fund, he regrets, is functioning only at thelocal level and since the government is yet to set up anadvocates� welfare trust as some states have done, itsactivity cannot be expanded.