New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS): The Delhi government on Friday announced that it has formed a 13-member committee of lawyers to give recommendations on the utilisation of the fund for advocates' welfare.

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government had kept Rs 50 crore in its Budget 2019-20 for the welfare of lawyers under the Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme.

"The government will not decide where the funds will be spent. The 13-lawyer committee was formed and will decide where the funds should be used. Supreme Court Bar Association President Rakesh Khanna will head the committee of lawyers from all Bar Associations of Delhi to decide on the utilisation of Rs 50 crore of Chief Minister's Advocates Welfare Scheme."

Kejriwal said the committee will submit its report within 10 days, based on which the scheme will be implemented.

"Delhi government recognises the invaluable contributions of the advocates to the society. It was a longtime demand from the advocate community to initiate an exclusive scheme for their welfare," Kejriwal said.

He said advocates organisations have made various demands with respect to their welfare scheme.

"Factoring this, in order to submit recommendations for spending the fund and identifying the areas of welfare, Delhi government constitutes the committee."