New Delhi, July 27
Judicial officers across India are in for a salary hike as the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered implementation of the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission with effect from January 1, 2016.
A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana directed the Centre and states to pay the arrears of the enhanced salary to the judicial officers in three installments — first two installments of 25% each after three months and six months and the rest by the end of June next year.
"We’re not going to wait endlessly and it's 6.5 years of delay. Since 2016 they've been waiting. As far as pay scale is concerned, we are implementing", the CJI said, adding the pay revision was immediately needed as judicial officers were not covered by the Pay Commission constituted by the Centre and states.
The Amicus Curiae told the Bench that according to the Second National Judicial Pay Commission’s recommendations, judicial officers were entitled to a pay revision. He said states’ refusal to pay the revised salary to subordinate court judges on account of paucity of funds was "unjust".
The top court had set up the Second National Judicial Pay Commission led by Justice (Retd) PV Reddy in 2017 for reviewing the pay scale and other conditions of service of subordinate court judges across India.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.