Members of the Orissa High Court Bar Association on Wednesday opposed the Bar Council’s abrupt decision to hike the price of advocate welfare stamp.
The price of advocate welfare stamp has reportedly been increased more than six fold from Rs 15 to Rs 100.
The association has raised questions over the logic behind the abrupt and excess price of the stamp paper. Besides, all the advocate associations across the State have been requested not to accept the excess price rise.
The association further said that the interim committee of the Bar Council doesn’t have the right to take this kind of decision.
“When the Bar Council is not an elected body and an interim body, it has no right to impose the excess amount on advocates. The abrupt and excess increase in advocate welfare stamp for more than six times is not at all acceptable,” said Kaliprasanna Mishra, Orissa High Court Bar Association President.
“None of the member of the Bar Council has discussed the matter with the advocates. They have not also stated any reason behind the hike in price of advocate welfare stamp. We have no clue in what way it will be beneficial for the advocates. We will continue to oppose the price hike,” said Mishra.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)