New Delhi:
Pensions for retired district judges raised concerns in the Supreme Court on Monday, with the justices asking Attorney General R. Venkataramani to help come up with a “fair solution”.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has also moved the Supreme Court over unpaid salaries of some high court judges as they were not allotted new General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts after promotion from district judiciary. He pointed out that
“Retired district judges receive a pension of Rs 19,000 to Rs 20,000. How will they survive after long service?” asked the Chief Justice while hearing a petition from the All India Judges’ Association. questioned.
“This is a bureaucracy where you become completely incompetent. You can’t just turn 61, 62 and suddenly go into practice and go to the High Court,” he added.
“We want a proper resolution to this issue. You know that district judges are really suffering,” Justice Chandrachud said.
The Attorney General, representing the central government, said he would look into the matter.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued directions regarding the salaries and working conditions of judges based on the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission.
States were asked to clear the arrears and the High Court was asked to set up a committee to ensure proper implementation.
The Commission’s recommendations cover salary structures, pensions, family pensions and allowances, as well as a permanent mechanism for determining subjects related to the conditions of service in local judicial bodies.
The Supreme Court has previously stated that the judicial independence necessary to maintain public confidence in the rule of law can only be ensured to the extent that judges can live with economic dignity.
“Judges’ service conditions during their tenure must ensure a dignified existence. Their post-retirement conditions of service must ensure the dignity and independence of their office and how it is perceived by society. To attract talent, judicial service should be a viable career option, and working conditions for both current and retired staff should provide security and dignity. ” said a bench of Justices Chandrachud, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.