Covid-19 Lockdown: J&K Govt Extends Financial Relief Of Rs 1 Crore To Advocate Fraternity

Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday granted financial relief of Rs One crore to lawyers whose livelihoods have been severely hit due to imposed restrictions.

Twenty-seven new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Kashmir today. (Image: Twitter/ PIB)

Srinagar: Amid the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of Coronavirus in India, Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday granted financial relief of Rs One crore to lawyers whose livelihoods have been severely hit due to imposed restrictions since March 24 and later extended till May 3. Providing the minimum financial assistance to young advocates and especially those in distress, J-K Lt Governor G C Murmu today handed over a cheque of Rs One crore to Registrar General, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Jawad Ahmad in the presence of High Court Bar Association Jammu President Abhinav Sharma.

Lt Governor, Shri G C Murmu handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore to Registrar General, J&K High Court. This step of the Government is in continuation of the relief measures for those impacted due to ongoing coronavirus lockdown.@PIB_India @ddnews_jammu @DrJitendraSingh pic.twitter.com/dOTlpOMTUN

— PIB in Jammu and Kashmir (@PIBSrinagar) April 22, 2020

According to reports, Sharma has been assigned Ahmad as the fund distributing authority. The spokesperson also claimed that this move makes Jammu and Kashmir government the first in the country to extend relief to financially distressed young advocates. "This step of the government is in continuation of the relief measures announced for various sections of the society including registered building construction workers, MGNREGA job card holders and beneficiaries of various pensionary schemes," he said. High Court Bar Association Jammu President Abhinav Sharma thanked Lieutenant Governor for the decision. "We met Lieutenant governor and held a meeting with him over the issue. He approved our request", Sharma said while speaking to reporters at Raj Bhawan. The number of COVID-19 patients in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday crossed the 400 mark as 27 more people tested positive for coronavirus in the Union territory. "Twenty-seven new cases of COVID-19 have been reported today (Wednesday) and all from Kashmir," government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said. He said the total number of cases in Jammu and Kashmir has now risen to 407. While 56 of these cases have been detected in Jammu division, 351 are from Kashmir division. More than 62,000 people have been kept under surveillance either in government established quarantine facilities or in home isolation. As per reports, the administration is also planning to constitute multiple three-member teams to check and monitor patient care facilities at dedicated COVID-19 hospitals across the UT. Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo issued directions in this regard to directors of health services while chairing a meeting to review facilities being provided to coronavirus patients at such hospitals. The teams will submit reports about the functioning of these hospitals and action will be taken accordingly to address any concerns. Among other things, the teams will also review the bed capacity in all district hospitals and other designated places