1 week ago
Supreme Court Gives Centre One Week for Judges’ Benefits Panel
The Supreme Court wants former high court judges across India to receive similar retirement facilities.
These facilities can include drivers, security, medical payments and government housing when travelling.
Right now, different states provide different levels of support.
A group representing retired judges asked the court to address this difference.
The court had earlier told the central government to create a committee.
The government asked for one more week to do this.
The court agreed but said it could create the committee itself if necessary.
The committee must later study the issue and submit a report.
The Supreme Court granted the Centre one additional week to establish a panel on post-retirement benefits for former high court judges.
The panel is expected to recommend a uniform national policy covering drivers, security, accommodation and other facilities.
The court said it may establish the committee itself if the Centre does not form it within the extended deadline.
The court previously directed the panel to submit its report within three months of being constituted.
The case was brought by Justice V S Dave over differing post-retirement facilities and security arrangements across states.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the Centre, and the Association of Retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- What
- The court gave the Centre one more week to establish a panel for a uniform policy on post-retirement benefits for former high court judges.
- Where
- The proceedings took place before the Supreme Court in New Delhi, concerning benefits provided across Indian states.
- When
- The hearing was reported on August 20; the matter is to be listed again after 10 days.
- Why
- The court is considering the issue because facilities such as drivers, security, domestic help, telephone services, medical reimbursement and government accommodation vary considerably between states.
Supreme Court’s Position
Centre’s Position
Need for a national panel
Supreme Court’s Position
The court wants a uniform national framework because benefits and facilities differ substantially among states, and it warned that it may form the committee itself.
Centre’s Position
The Centre said it had no difficulty constituting the committee but sought one additional week to do so.
Adequacy of financial assistance
Supreme Court’s Position
Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned whether assistance of Rs 45,000-50,000 would be enough to hire both a driver and a security officer.
Centre’s Position
The government indicated that the issue should be addressed through a committee and in the spirit expressed by the court, but the report does not record a specific response on the adequacy of the amounts.
Key facts
- Extended deadline
- The Centre was given one additional week to set up the panel.
- Next listing
- The matter will be listed after 10 days.
- Earlier direction
- On July 20, the court had given the Centre two weeks to establish the panel.
- Report deadline
- The panel must submit its report within three months of being constituted.
- Facilities under discussion
- Drivers, security, domestic help, telephone services, medical reimbursement and government accommodation.
- Financial issue
- The court said any framework may involve the Centre sharing the financial burden with the states.
Quotes
Chief Justice Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India
““In Rs 45,000-50,000, is it possible to get a driver and a security officer?””
theprint.in
Sources
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