Punjab govt gives nod to amend 'Advocates Welfare Fund Act'

, Jul 14: With a view to provide financial assistance to the family members of the deceased advocates, the

Cabinet today approved the amendment to the Punjab Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2002.

A decision to this effect was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Disclosing this here, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the necessary amendments would be made in section 4 sub-section 3(a)(b)(g), section 4 sub- section 5, schedule to section 17 and section 20 (i) for the enhancement of the value of stamp tickets affixed on the 'Vakalatnama' from Rs 8 to Rs 15.

The amount thus collected would be utilized to provide financial help to the families of the deceased advocates, the spokesman said.

The Cabinet gave permission to bring the Punjab Advocates Welfare Fund (Third Amendment) Bill, 2014 by converting the already issued ordinance for its enactment in the ensuing Budget Session of the state's Assembly. The cabinet also gave go ahead to create a post of Vice-Chairman in the State Women Commission by amending the Punjab State Women Commission Act, 2001, the spokesman said.

This move would help the Commission to discharge its functions in an effective and result oriented manner to safeguard the rights of women on one hand and ensure their empowerment on the other, the spokesman said.

Conceding the demand of the employees of the state government, the Cabinet also decided to accord ex-post facto sanction to enhance the commutation of pension from 20 to 30 per cent. This decision would also be applicable in case of the pensioners who retired after April 01, 2013 and entitled for additional commutation on enhanced rates, the spokesman said.

PTI