Supreme Court provides timeline for the State and Centre government to pay pensions to the retired judicial officers as per the enhanced pay scale

While hearing the All India Judges Association v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court of India provided a timeline for the State and Centre government to pay pensions to the retired judicial officers as per the enhanced pay scale recommended by the Second National Judicial Pay Commission. A three-judge bench of the top Court including Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice V Ramasubramanian was hearing the matter. 

During the proceedings, Justice Narasimha said, “In the case of payment of arrears, this court in its orders on July 27, 2022 and January 18, 2023 had already directed that all arrears of pay be cleared by 30 June 2023. In this regard it is directed, the compliance affidavit must be filed by all States and Union Territories by 30th of July 2023. The revised pensions as have been approved by this court shall be payable by 1st July 2023. For the payment of arrears of additional pension, gratuity, and other retirement benefits following the order of 27.07.2022 and 18.01.2023, it is directed that 25% will be paid by 31 August 2023, another 25% by 1 October 2023 and the remaining percent by 31 December 2023.”

Further, the bench ordered, “Ultimately the effect of acceptance of the recommendations is that necessary amendments must be carried out in service rules of judicial officers across all jurisdictions. It is thus directed that the High Court and the competent authorities wherever applicable bring the rules in conformity with the recommendations accepted by this court within a period of three months. Compliance affidavit be placed on record by the High Court, the states, and the union within four months…We will list this case on 17th July 2023.”