The Bihar State Bar Council has decided to introduce a pension scheme for practising lawyers from October.

The proposal of the scheme, the first-of-its-kind in the country, has been submitted to the Bar Council of India (BCI) for approval. “Once the proposal gets the council’s nod, the scheme will come into effect in the state,” state Bar council chairman Baleshwar Prasad Sharma said.

He added that around 75,000-80,000 practising lawyers would benefit from the scheme. The lawyers would have to get enrolled to the state Bar council and make a one-time payment of Rs 7,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 as membership charge, depending on the age. The money collected from the members would be locked for 10 years.

After attaining 65 years of age, the member would get Rs 5,000 as pension every month. In case of death of the member, his/her dependent or nominee would be paid Rs 2,500 as pension every month. Any practising lawyer below the age of 65 years can apply for the scheme, Sharma said.

On the initiative of the state council, the government has also agreed in principle to give stipend to young advocates for three years. “This is being done to give financial support to young advocates so that they can sustain in the profession,” the chairman said, adding that the stipend amount is yet to be finalised.