3-fold pay hike for lower court judges

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, February 6

Subordinate court judges are in for a pay hike as the Second National Judicial Pay Commission has recommended raising their salary by up to almost three times.

Headed by former SC judge PV Reddy, the commission also recommended increase in pension and allowances with effect from 2016. The arrears have to be paid this year, it said. The commission has recommended revising the starting pay of Junior Civil Judge or First Class Magistrate from Rs 27,700 to Rs 77,840.

“The next higher post of Senior Civil Judge starts with the pay of Rs 1,11,000. The District Judge starts with a pay of Rs 1,44,840. The highest pay which a District Judge (STS) will get is Rs 2,24,100,” the release said, adding that the percentage of Selection Grade and Super-Time Scale District Judges be increased by 10 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. The revised pay and pension will be effective from January 1, 2016, while the arrears will have to be paid this year after adjusting the interim relief.

The commission has recommended the pension at 50 per cent of last drawn pay with effect from January 1, 2016, while the family pension will be 30 per cent of the last drawn pay. Pension at 50 per cent of last drawn pay, worked out on the basis of proposed revised pay scales is recommended with effect from January 1, 2016 while the family pension will be 30 per cent of the last drawn pay.

“Additional quantum of pension to commence on completing the age of 75 years (instead of 80 years) and percentages at various stages thereafter are increased. The existing ceiling of retirement gratuity and death gratuity to be increased by 25 per cent when the DA reaches 50 per cent,” the commission said.