HC lawyers unhappy with tough criteria for Punjab law officers

Chandigarh : It’s easier for a lawyer to become a judge than find a place in the Punjab Advocate-General’s office. For the much-awaited bill on appointment of law officers in state’s Advocate-General’s office, passed by the Assembly on Wednesday, provides tougher procedure and criteria for selection and engagement of lawyers as law officers. A lawyer needs a minimum of 10 years’ experience to be eligible for a High Court Judge. His minimum annual income should be Rs 5 lakh. But the bill for engagement of law officers prescribes a minimum annual income of Rs 20 lakh and 20 years’ practice for Senior Additional Advocate General; Rs 15 lakh and 16 years for Additional Advocate General, Rs 10 lakh and 14 years for Senior Deputy Advocate General, Rs 7 lakh and 10 years for Deputy Advocate General, and Rs 3.5 lakh and three years, for Assistant Advocate General. The experience criterion is in sharp contrast to the earlier recommendations of 10 years for additional, seven for deputy and three for assistant advocate general.The enhanced income and experience clause has generated resentment among advocates in the High Court, with a section of them feeling that the Punjab AG office is only for the rich and highly-experienced advocates.