Judiciary Paralyzed as Lawyers go on 3-day Strike
Patna: March 31, 2008
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Lawyers go on 3-day Strike
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Photo by Shashi Uttam |
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Over 80,000 lawyers in Bihar under more than 120 different union banners on Monday went on a 3-day strike to protest against the increase in court fee bringing the entire legal system in the state to its knees.
In the event the hike in the fee is not rescinded to its old rates, the strike would continue beyond April 2, said union leader Yogesh Chandra Verma.
"It is now up to the Chief Minister to restore legal normalcy in Bihar," Verma said adding the lawyers were open to a meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi who also holds the finance portfolio in the state.
Bihar Industry Minister Gautam Singh, meanwhile, ruled out withdrawal of the new court fee saying the new rates were in compliance with the Sethi Commission and was not expected to affect most advocates.
"The state is spending more than Rs. 191 crore on the judiciary each year and the hike in fees would bring in only about Rs. 20 crore annually. We do not believe the rates are so high that warrant any strike from the legal community," the Minister said.
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