The Supreme Court of India recently underscored the need for equal salaries and pensions for judges across all High Courts in India. This directive aims to address disparities in remuneration that exist due to variations in state-provided allowances and benefits, which can affect the financial stability and independence of the judiciary.
Background:
The call for parity in judicial salaries emerged from discussions surrounding judges’ rights to uniform compensation, recognizing the essential role they play across all states. Differences in local allowances and benefits can lead to discrepancies in overall pay, which the court sees as contrary to the principle of equal service.
Court’s Rationale:
The Supreme Court highlighted that judges, irrespective of the state they serve in, contribute equally to the nation’s judicial system. Therefore, ensuring uniformity in pay and pension would not only uphold the dignity of judicial roles but also encourage equity and uniform standards across the judiciary. The court emphasized that such parity would promote judicial independence by removing financial disparities.
Existing Measures:
Historically, judicial salaries and pensions have been standardized at the national level, but additional allowances differ depending on the state. This ruling signals a push to reevaluate these differences and ensure all judges receive consistent benefits, reinforcing the principle of equal pay for equal service.
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court’s directive calls on the central and state governments to consider amendments that establish uniform remuneration for High Court judges. This decision reflects a commitment to supporting the judiciary’s independence and encouraging a more cohesive structure across India’s judicial system.