Telangana Bar Council’s Decides to Hike Vakalat Welfare Stamp Fee by 150%

The Bar Council of Telangana has increased the Vakalat Welfare Stamp fee from ₹100 to ₹250, drawing criticism from legal professionals.

The 150% hike raises concerns about transparency, especially as the Council received ₹100 crore from the state government in 2022, but has not disclosed how those funds were spent.

The increase affects clients and junior advocates, potentially impacting access to justice, and has led to concerns among legal professionals about the justification for the fee increase.

The legal framework governing such decisions is found in The Advocates Act, 1961, particularly Sections 7 and 8, which empower Bar Councils to regulate fees and welfare funds for advocates within their jurisdiction.