The Supreme Court has directed to bring uniformity in the post-retirement facilities available to retired High Court judges. The court has asked the Center to form a committee within 2 weeks and submit recommendations within 3 months so that equal facilities are provided across the country.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Government to constitute a committee within two weeks to prepare uniform guidelines regarding post-retirement facilities to be given to retired Chief Justices and judges of High Courts across the country.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed that the committee will be constituted in two weeks and will submit its recommendations to both the central government and the Supreme Court within three months of its formation. The court has also directed the committee to recommend ways and mechanisms for sharing the financial burden between the Center and the states.
Need for uniformity in features
The court said, “The larger issue revolves around whether certain benefits/facilities should be extended to the retired Chief Justice and judges of the High Court. It is a record that the basic facilities like domestic help, driver, telephone, reimbursement of medical bills and transit stay in government accommodation vary from State to State. The lack of uniformity has forced the Association of Retired Judges to first approach the authorities and then take recourse to the writ jurisdiction of this Court.” It also appears that the Government of India is also an important stakeholder, especially when we expect that a part of the financial burden should be shared by the Center and the States in a prescribed manner. There can be no doubt that these facilities should be ensured on an equitable basis and there is no reason for these to differ from State to State.”
Therefore, the Court directed Solicitor General of India (SGI), Tushar Mehta, to persuade the Central Government to form a committee. The court said, “We have asked the Honorable Solicitor General to persuade the Central Government to constitute a committee to lay down uniform guidelines and the manner and mechanism of financial assistance. Such a committee should be constituted within two weeks. Efforts will be made by the committee to submit its recommendations to the Central Government and this Court within three months of its constitution.”
During the hearing the CJI also remarked, “Taking care of senior citizens is also a part of our culture.”
The matter has been directed to be listed after three months, by which time the committee is expected to place its recommendations before the court. (ANI)
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