The Chief Secretaries of 18 states appeared before the Supreme Court following its order regarding the payment of pending pensions and retirement benefits of judges, in line with the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission. During the hearing, the bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud clarified that Chief Secretaries from states that have cleared the dues need not appear further. The court expressed no satisfaction in summoning top officials but explained that repeated absences by state lawyers made it necessary.
In the previous hearing, the court summoned Chief Secretaries from 18 states and union territories, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Bihar, ordering their presence. During this session, the CJI asked which states have complied with the pension recommendations. The counsel informed the court that Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, and Himachal Pradesh have allocated funds and will comply within four weeks. The court urged non-compliant states to act promptly.
The court emphasized the severity of cases related to judicial pensions, noting that some retired district judges receive as little as ₹15,000 per month. The CJI highlighted one instance where a woman judge receives an annual pension of only ₹96,000, or ₹8,000 monthly. The bench also expressed concern over district judges promoted to the High Court at an advanced age, receiving pensions of ₹30,000 but unable to take on arbitration cases due to their age. The court stressed that after years of service, such officers cannot easily transition into practice. The ongoing case involves a petition by the All India Judges Association, seeking enforcement of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission’s recommendations. Amicus Curiae K. Parmeshwar informed the court that several states oppose the implementation due to financial constraints, arguing that central government support is needed to proceed.
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