Yogi Adityanath Announces Rs 5 Lakh Insurance, Tablets for 400 UP Advocates

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced several welfare and technology measures for advocates during a felicitation programme organised by the Allahabad High Court Bar Association in Prayagraj. The announcements included cashless insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for practising advocates and tablets for 400 state law officers.

Adityanath said the state government had focused on improving law and order, judicial infrastructure, technology and coordination between the executive and judiciary since taking office in 2017.

He claimed that before 2017, around 45 to 50 per cent of sanctioned police posts in Uttar Pradesh were vacant and annual police training capacity stood at about 3,000 personnel. According to him, the capacity has since increased to around 60,000.

The Chief Minister also highlighted improvements in the subordinate judiciary. He said several courts had previously operated from damaged or temporary buildings, while district courts in 10 districts were functioning from rented premises.

According to Adityanath, technology has increasingly been integrated into the criminal justice system, including online prosecution platforms, high-speed internet and video conferencing facilities in district courts and jails. He also referred to virtual evidence recording and digitisation of court documents as measures intended to reduce delays in trials.

He said integrated court complexes were being developed to bring judicial facilities, accommodation for judicial officers, lawyers’ chambers and other amenities together. The government would also support essential furniture and equipment for chambers constructed for more than 10,000 lawyers under the multi-level parking and chamber complex.

On advocates’ welfare, Adityanath said assistance under the lawyers’ welfare fund had been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. He also said the age limit for financial assistance to families of deceased advocates had been increased from 60 to 70 years.

The Chief Minister announced the cashless insurance facility of up to Rs 5 lakh for practising advocates and said 400 state law officers would receive tablets to help them access information and handle government-related cases before courts.

He also urged the legal community to prepare for emerging areas including cybercrime, artificial intelligence, data privacy, e-commerce, fintech, intellectual property and climate litigation. He said continued coordination between the Bar and Bench would be important for building a modern and efficient justice system.