New Delhi, 10-01-2024 : In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has mandated the formation of a two-judge committee in each high court to oversee the implementation of orders related to pay, pension, and retirement benefits for judicial officers in accordance with the Second National Judicial Pay Commission (SNJPC). Recognizing the need for uniformity in the service conditions of judicial officers nationwide, the court emphasized the importance of judicial independence, which hinges on judges leading lives with financial dignity.
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, highlighted that dignified service conditions during a judge’s tenure and post-retirement are critical for maintaining the dignity and independence of the judicial office. It asserted that for the judiciary to attract talent and serve as a viable career option, both working and retired officers must be offered conditions that ensure security and dignity.
Expressing concern over the delay in resolving issues pertaining to the service conditions of judicial officers, the Supreme Court noted that while officers in other services had their conditions revised as of January 1, 2016, similar matters for judicial officers were still pending a final decision eight years later. The court emphasized that retired judges and family pensioners await resolution, underscoring the urgency for decisive action.
The SNJPC recommendations encompass various aspects, including pay structure, pension, family pension, allowances, and the establishment of a permanent mechanism for determining service conditions for the district judiciary.
In its directive, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a committee in each high court, named the ‘Committee for Service Conditions of the District Judiciary’ (CSCDJ). The committee will comprise two high court judges nominated by the Chief Justice, with one having prior experience in the district judiciary, along with the Law Secretary/Legal Remembrancer. The Registrar General of the high court will serve as the ex officio Secretary, and a retired judicial officer in the cadre of a district judge will be nominated as the nodal officer for day-to-day grievance redressal.
The committee’s principal functions include overseeing the implementation of SNJPC recommendations, developing an institutional mechanism for recording and archiving concerns related to pay, pension, and service conditions of the district judiciary. It will also ensure the empanelment of hospitals of requisite standards for every district, consulting with the Health Department of the State Government.
Additionally, the committee has the authority to take incidental measures, such as considering empanelment of hospitals outside the State to facilitate medical facilities for officers residing outside the State. Disbursements of arrears of salary, pension, and allowances are mandated to be computed and paid by February 29, 2024.
Each committee, operating under the high court’s auspices, is required to submit its report to the Supreme Court by April 7, 2024, through the Registrar General of the respective high court. This comprehensive directive from the Supreme Court aims to address longstanding issues and streamline the service conditions for judicial officers across the country.