The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to constitute a committee to frame uniform guidelines for post-retirement facilities to be provided to retired Chief Justices and judges of High Courts across the country.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered that the committee be formed within two weeks and asked it to submit its recommendations to both the Centre and the Supreme Court within three months of its constitution.
The committee has also been tasked with recommending a mechanism for sharing the financial burden of these benefits between the Centre and the states.
Observing that retired judges should receive equal treatment irrespective of the state in which they served, the bench said, “There can indeed be no doubt that these facilities must be ensured on a uniform basis. There is no reason for these to vary from State to State.”
During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant also remarked that caring for senior citizens is part of India’s culture, underscoring the need for a consistent framework governing post-retirement benefits for members of the higher judiciary.
