Ranchi, Jan. 16: Government advocates in the Jharkhand High Court are a dissatisfied lot. For, they are not getting salary for over six months.

The government pleaders and public prosecutors attached to the office of the advocate-general, who plead cases on behalf of the state government, have not been paid any remuneration since May 2006.

The advocates represent the government in both civil and criminal matters in which the state is a party. The role of advocates is important because the government is the prosecuting agency in criminal cases, while in other matters the role of the state decides the fate of the case.

The government advocates also represent the officers employed in different departments and represent them in court while arguing a case.

The government had come out with a new scheme in May, 2006, according to which the advocates representing the state would be paid a fixed salary. The scheme encompassed the benefits given to the public prosecutors who were to be paid Rs 300 per day instead of Rs 175, which was paid earlier. However, the scheme is yet to be implemented and lawyers continue to face severe financial crisis.

Advocate-general S.B. Gadodia said the matter has been discussed with the home department and there is some hope in the near future. Advocates who have worked will definitely be given their dues, the advocate-general said.

“The secretary of the home department has been changed. We will take up the matter with him,” he added.

A public prosecutor said: “The lawyers work more than they are paid for. The money we receive is for the day and not the number of cases one appears in. Whether it is one case or more than one, the money remains the same, yet we are not being paid on time.”