The pension to retired district court judges of Rs.19k-20k is not just: Supreme Court
Last Updated on February 27, 2024 by News Desk
The Supreme Court recently raised its concerns over the meagre pension of 19k-20k being paid to the retired district court judges and asked the Centre to find a “just solution.”
As per the Liv Law report, A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, justices PB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra were hearing the matter of the pension scheme for judicial officers where the court noted, “The retired District judges are clocking a pension of Rs 19000-20000 …after a long service, how do they survive? This is the kind of office where you are completely disabled, you cannot suddenly jump into practice and go to the High Court at the age of 61-62 years and start practising”
The court further urged the centre, through Attorney General (AG) Mr R Venkataramani representing the Union, to find a just solution. “We want a just solution to this. The district judges are really suffering you know.” The court said.
While in the All-India Judges Association matter, the Court has earlier issued directions relating to the pay and service conditions of the judges, accepting the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission. Last month, the Court directed the states to clear the SNJPC arrears by February 29 and asked the High Courts to constitute committees to oversee the implementation.
Advocate K Parameshwar, the amicus curiae in the matter, submitted that there should be an adequate pension to ensure the independence of judicial officers.
He also mentioned, “Under the scheme, the judicial officer who has given a substantial 20-30 years to the country if is unable to be promoted as an HC judge draws way less pension than his colleague who would make it to the HC”
The matter further is listed on the next Monday
Written by Shagun Behal
