Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced to enhance the annual contribution to the Advocates' Welfare Fund from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore from the next year.

Addressing the state executive meet of the BJD's legal front, Naveen said: "We also plan to establish an advocates' academy for training and skill development of lawyers of the state."

Aware of the issue that Madhusudan Law College in Cuttack has produced number of legal luminaries, Naveen also announced that steps were being taken to declare Madhusudan Law College as a law university.

"Madhubabu Aain Sahayata at the Panchayat level is one of the most progressive and dynamic initiatives of my government to provide instant and easy access to justice to the weaker sections of society at their doorsteps," he said.

He also urged the lawyers to work wholeheartedly with the state's in its battle for Mahanadi. "We expect the lawyers to come forward to save the pride of Odisha in being an integrated part of Save Mahanadi Movement," he said.

Naveen had launched the party's Save Mahanadi campaign from May 16 and the campaign will end in Paradip where the river meets Bay of Bengal. On the legal front, Odisha government's case is in the newly-constituted tribunal.

Appealing the legal fraternity to carry forward legal aid to the grassroot level to provide access to justice to the needy and deserved, Naveen said: "We have taken a number of steps to ease access to justice to the people, including establishment of courts in all 314 blocks, special courts for women and ST, SC communities, appointment of judicial officers, organisation of Lok Adalats, Legal Aid Clinics, engagement of lawyers to conduct legal aid cases and engagement of para-legal volunteers."

Naveen also urged advocates to carry forward message of growth and development of his government to the people of Odisha. "The masses look upon you to make them aware of their rights and entitlements. We have constituted the Odisha State Law Commission to aid and advise in matters of legal reforms and qualitative legislation relevant to the current times," he said.

Law minister Pratap Jena said: "The government will provide the required infrastructure to set up the courts in all the blocks of the state. Personal care would be taken to find out amicable solutions to the issues faced by the legal community."

Among others, MLA Debasis Samantray and BJD legal cell convener Milan Kanungo were present on the occasion.