Rs 116 crore for counsels, legal advisors in Gujarat

Gujarat has earmarked a whopping Rs115.92 crore for expenditure on legal advisors and counsels, the state's budget documents show.

As against the budgeted amount of Rs109 crore, the state government spent Rs74.12 crore on legal advisors and counsels in 2016-17. In the current year, i.e. 2017-18, the estimated expenditure has been pegged at Rs98.64 crore, while the government has made a provision of Rs115.92 crore for the coming financial year, which is nearly 10% of legal department's budget size of Rs1,159 crore, an analysis by Pathey said.

Additionally, a provision of Rs36 crore has been made for roping in professional advocates to appear on behalf of the government. The government has made provision of Rs235.70 crore for Gujarat High Court for 2018-19, which is Rs95 crore more than current year's Rs140.3 crore.

The state has also made provision of Rs9.60 crore for setting up 25 courts in different districts for quick disposal of pending cases.