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Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, has sounded the alarm on the dire conditions faced by District Judicial Officers in India. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 'National Conference on the District Judiciary' at the Supreme Court, Sibal highlighted the critical impact of meagre salaries, inadequate pensions, and limited promotional avenues on the justice delivery system at the district level.
Sibal emphasized the link between the working conditions of these judges and the quality of justice dispensed. He argued that without substantial improvements in their salaries and infrastructure, the efficiency and quality of the justice delivery system would inevitably suffer. He specifically pointed to the inadequate pension scheme implemented in 2005, which, despite recommendations from the Shetty Commission and the Padmanabhan Committee, was implemented without consulting the High Courts.
The new Pension Scheme (NPS) has been criticized for its detrimental impact on the retirement benefits of district judges. Sibal highlighted that the monthly annuity provided under the NPS is significantly lower than the pension received under the older scheme, even for judges with the same length of service and rank. He cited instances where the monthly annuity under the NPS could be as low as Rs. 13,965, compared to Rs. 1,63,000 under the older scheme.
The limited promotional opportunities for district judges further compound the issue, discouraging young legal talent from joining the judiciary. Sibal lamented the lack of incentives, leading to fewer graduates from esteemed National Law Universities choosing judicial service. The lack of clear career progression, coupled with the inadequate financial benefits, paints a bleak picture for aspiring judges.
Sibal highlighted the challenging working conditions faced by district judges, often lacking essential facilities such as proper courtrooms, office facilities, supporting staff, library facilities, adequate housing, and transportation. The senior advocate also drew attention to the deplorable facilities, particularly for women judges, underscoring the lack of basic amenities and support.
The event was attended by prominent figures in the legal and political spheres, including Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra. The presence of these high-profile individuals underscores the gravity of the issues raised by Sibal and highlights the need for urgent attention and action to address the concerns of the district judiciary.