Centre Increases Post Retirement Benefits Of Retired SC Judges Twice In Three Days, Latest On Date Of Retirement Of Justice Ramana
The Central Government through its Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Justice) issued a new notification, further amending the Supreme Court Judges Rules, 1959.
The new amendments were done on August 26, on the last working day of retired Chief Justice N. V. Ramana. The previous amendments were notified only three days back i.e. on August 23.
Through the present amendment, the Centre has provided additional post-retirement benefits to the retired Chief Justice and Judges of the Apex Court. Under the newly added provisions, the retired Chief Justice during his lifetime will be entitled to domestic help equivalent to the level of Junior Court Attendant.
Also, the retired Chief Justice and retired Judges of the Supreme Court will benefit since they will be given Security Cover in addition to round a clock personal security guard.
The retired Chief Justice will also be given rent-free Type-VII accommodation in Delhi for six months.
The provisions are in addition to those mentioned in the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958.
The newly added provisions are as follows: -
The Centre has in exercise of the powers conferred by sub section (1) and clauses (c) and (f) of sub-section (2) of Section 24 of the Act framed rules to amend the Supreme Court Judges Rules, 1959.
1. The rules may be called the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
They shall come into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Supreme Court Judges Rules, 1959, in rule 3B, in sub rule (3), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely –
Rule 3B – 1) The following staff shall be deployed with a retired Chief Justice during his lifetime from the establishment of Supreme Court or a High Court with full pay and allowances admissible to regular employees of the Supreme Court –
a) domestic help (equivalent to the level of Junior Court Attendant);
b) chauffeur (equivalent to the level of Chauffer in the Supreme Court); and
c) secretarial assistant (equivalent to the level of the Branch Officer in the Supreme Court).
2) A retired Chief Justice shall be entitled to a security cover round the clock at residence in addition to round the clock personal security guard for a period of five years from the date of retirement.
3) A retired Judge shall be entitled to a security cover round the clock at residence in addition to round the clock personal security guard for a period of three years from the date of retirement.
4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (2) and (3), if a retired Chief Justice or a retired Judge is already provided with a higher grade security on the basis of threat perception, the higher grade security already provided shall continue.
5) A retired Chief Justice shall be entitled to rent free Type-VII accommodation at Delhi (other than the designated official residence) for a period of six months after the date of retirement.
6) The following staff shall be deployed with a retiring Judge during his lifetime from the establishment of Supreme Court or a High Court with full pay and allowances admissible to regular employees of the Supreme Court –
a) domestic help (equivalent to the level of Junior Court Attendant);
b) chauffeur (equivalent to the level of Chauffer in the Supreme Court); and
7) A retired Chief Justice or retired Judge shall be entitled to protocol to extend courtsies at ceremonial lounges at airports.
8) A retired Chief Justice or a retired Judge shall be entitled to a residential telephone free of cost and reimbursement of telephone call charges of residential telephone or mobile phone or broadband or mobile data or data card not exceeding Rs. 4200/- per month plus taxes as applicable.
Provided that reimbursement of telephone call charges shall be made by the Registrar of the Supreme Court of India on furnishing a certificate by the retired Chief Justice or the retired Judge in the form specified by the Registry of the Supreme Court of India.
9) The post retiral benefits under this rule shall be admissible to the retired Chief Justice or the retired Judge is no such facilities are availed from any High Court or from any other Government body where the retired Chief Justice or retired Judge has taken up any assignment after retirement.
3. In rule 4 of the said Rules, the proviso shall be omitted.
4. Rule 5A of the said Rules, shall be omitted.
