Lawyers on strike

Lawyers of the district courts in the capital went on a day-long strike today as a mark of protest against imposition of service tax on law firms.

The lawyers are agitated over the government's decision to bring the lawyers in the net of service tax.

No advocate appeared in the cases mentioned in Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Karkardooma, Rohini and Dwarka courts. The matters listed for the day were being adjourned, a Delhi Bar Association office bearer said.

"The lawyers will not tolerate any attempt by the government to impose service tax on the legal fraternity and shall adopt all peaceful means to oppose such uncalled for and unwarranted taxes on lawyers," Co-Ordination Committee of All Bar Associations of Delhi had declared following a meeting on July 7 here.

In the Budget 2009-10, the Union finance minister had on July 6 proposed service tax on advice, consultancy, or technical assistance provided in the field of law.

The Co-Ordination Committee said the legal profession cannot be considered as a trade or business. It was exempted from service tax as it cannot be equated with commercial activities and services provided by others for gaining profit.