Courts Come to a Standstill in AP over Rs 10,000 Stipend to Junior Lawyers

 Vijayawada: Courts across Andhra Pradesh came to a standstill on Friday as lawyers boycotted work, responding to a call given by the AP State Bar Federation.

The federation of 156 bar associations gave the boycott call demanding immediate release of the Rs 10,000 Nyayamitra stipend for junior advocates and prompt implementation of the provisions under the Advocates Protection Act.

As part of the state-wide protest, members of the Bezwada Bar Association took out a procession at noon from the Bar Association premises to the Collector’s Office. They submitted a memorandum, urging the state government to honour its commitments without further delay.

Addressing the gathering, Bezwada Bar Association president A.K. Basha thanked advocates for extending complete support to the boycott. He said for the first time, lawyers across the state have united and collectively abstained from court work on a single day, marking a new chapter in the lawyers’ movement in Andhra Pradesh.

Recalling the assurances made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Telugu Desam Party ahead of the 2024 elections, Basha demanded that the state government immediately release the Rs 10,000 monthly stipend promised to junior advocates.

In this regard, the Bezwada Bar Association president pointed out that the previous government had introduced a Rs 5,000 stipend but later discontinued it. He urged the current state government to clear both the pending arrears and the enhanced amount announced by the current dispensation.

Basha also called upon the government to fulfil the assurance given by Nara Lokesh during the latter’s padayatra to enact a law safeguarding advocates from attacks.

Speaking on the occasion, AP Bar Council member Chalasani Ajay Kumar said the government must act immediately on the promises in its manifesto relating to the Nyayamitra stipend and the Advocates Protection Act. This will prove that these assurances are meant for the welfare and security of lawyers, and are not merely for electoral gains.

Senior advocate and BJP Legal Cell president Uppalapati Srinivasa Raju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been positive on the Advocates Protection Act and assured its early implementation. He urged the state government to follow up the matter with the centre.