The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved hikes in the salaries of High Court and Supreme Court judges.
“Today, the Cabinet has taken an important decision to revise the salaries of High Court and Supreme Court judges. After the Seventh Pay Commission, this subject was to be discussed. The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958 and High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954 will be amended as any decision on judges’ salaries is made through legislative instruments,” Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
“The benefit will be given from January 1, 2016 and the benefits will extend to 31 judges of the Supreme Court, 1,079 judges of the High Courts and about 2,500 retired judges."
Shortage of judges
A senior government official said this would help solve the shortage of judges.
“Most lawyers start doing relatively well by the age of 32-33 years and at the age of 45, they are at the peak of their careers. It is difficult to attract them with the position of a judge if they are not paid well. This should hopefully improve the situation,” he said.
