Second National Judicial Pay Commission Recommends Hike In Pay, Pension & Allowances Of Judicial Officers Across The Country

The Second National Judicial Pay Commission has submitted its final report recommending increase in the pay, pension and allowances of judicial officers.

The Commission was constituted by the Supreme Court as per its orders in the All India Judges Association case. On November 16, 2017, the Ministry of Law and Justice had issued the notification in that regard.

Justice P.V.Reddi, former Judge of the Supreme Court is the Chairman,R.Basant, Senior Advocate and former Judge of Kerala High Court is the Member and Vinay Kumar Gupta, District Judge of Delhi Higher Judicial Service is the Member-Secretary of the Commission.

On January 29, the Commission submitted its final recommendations in the Supreme Court. The recommendations made by the Commission are applicable to the Judicial officers throughout the country.

Some of the salient features of the recommendations are :

Pay

As per the revised pay structure evolved by the Commission, the Junior Civil Judge/First Class Magistrate whose staring pay is Rs.27,700/- will now get Rs.77,840/-.

The next higher post of Senior Civil Judge starts with the pay of Rs.1,11,000/- and that of the District Judge Rs.1,44,840/-.

The highest pay which a District Judge (STS) will get, is Rs.2,24,100/-.

It has recommended the adoption of Pay Matrix which has been drawn up by applying the multiplier of 2.81 to the existing pay, commensurate with the percentage of increase of pay of High Court Judges.

Pension

Pension at 50% of last drawn pay worked out on the basis of proposed revised pay scales is recommended w. e. f. 1-1-2016. The family pension will be 30% 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% when the DA reaches 50%.

Nodal officers to be nominated by the District Judges to assist the pensioners/family pensioners.

Recommendation has been made to discontinue the New Pension Scheme (NPS) which is being applied to those entering service during or after 2004. The old pension system, which is more beneficial to be revived

Allowances

The existing allowances have been suitably increased and certain new features have been added. However, the CCA is proposed to be discontinued. Recommendations are made to improve the medical facilities and to simplify the reimbursement procedure. Medical facilities to be granted to pensioners and family pensioners also.

Certain new allowances viz. children education allowance, home orderly allowance, transport allowance in lieu of pool car facility, have been proposed. HRA proposed to be increased uniformly in all States. Steps to ensure proper maintenance of official quarters recommended.

The Supreme Court will have to issue directions regarding the implementation of recommendations after hearing the stakeholders.