Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana Reaffirms Support for Rollback and Review of LADCS Scheme: The Sub-Committee of Members of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, gathered regarding the LADCS matter and the ongoing agitation in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana is the statutory body of advocates established under the Advocate Act, 1961 and has been entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the rights, privileges and interests of all the advocates enrolled with it.

The issue regarding legal aid defense counsels, and the scheme which has been in place is being discussed since long, and all the lawyers in the two states and U.T. have been agitating against the scheme which has seen significant ramifications and side effects in its implementation over the years. Bar Associations in Punjab, as well as Haryana along with U.T. Chandigarh have been raising this issue since long, and have been actively supported by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana to raise this genuine issue before the concerned authorities and have been seeking a rollback and review of the same.

Regarding this issue, the Honorable Supreme Court of India has already formed a Committee, which has reportedly taken cognizance and is actively reviewing the scheme and the report is awaited. After a considerable gap of time, the legal fraternity awaiting the report have called for fresh agitation to raise the genuine concern of all.

In the meeting held today and the press conference thereafter, the Sub-Committee of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana have again reiterated support for the genuine demand seeking rollback and review of the LADCS system.

In pursuit of supporting this genuine cause, the Sub-Committee of Bar Council, accompanied by leaders of Bar Associations from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, has already met the Honorable Chief Justice of India, Honorable Union Law Minister, Honorable Acting Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court and Honorable Judges of the Administrative Committee constituted by the High Court. Apart from raising concerns regarding the negative effects of this scheme on the legal fraternity, Bar Council has also actively advocated that this scheme is also detrimental to the interest of the ordinary citizen and is in no way supportive of resolve of access to justice.

The Sub-Committee of the Bar Council also expressed its concern and displeasure over the remarks made by the head of the institution, while requesting that due sensitivity be shown to the genuine concerns of the legal fraternity. It emphasized that respectful dialogue is in the best interests of both the institution and the camaraderie between the Bar and the Bench.