"Huge disparity between pay scale of Judicial Officers and Court officers," KJOA seeks impleadment in petition over welfare of Judicial Officers

Read Time: 03 minutes

An application filed by the Kerala Judicial Officers Association before the Supreme Court has sought impleadment in pending writ petition over the welfare of the Judicial officers stating that there is a huge disparity between the pay scale of Judicial Officers and Court officers, wherein, the pay scale of Court Staff is now higher than that of Judicial Officers.

The plea has alleged that the difference between the pay scale is disrupting the whole mechanism of the judiciary and the seniority of the Judicial Officers over the Court Officers.

The application has challenged the Government Order dated February 10, 2021 of the State of Kerala approving the recommendations of the Eleventh Pay Revision Commission on Revision of Pay and Allowances of State Government of Employees and teachers, and subordinate “Court Staff”.

The applicant has stated that the association has been formed with the primary object of welfare and improving the service conditions of the Judges in the State of Kerala.

The impleadment has been sought in a petition seeking direction to constitute all India Judicial Commission to review the service conditions of the judicial officers of the subordinate judiciary in India including but not limited to pay scale, retirement age, pension, and other emoluments of the sub-ordinate judiciary from time to time;”

The application further mentioned an urgent intervention is required as it is likely that other State Governments might also have passed and implemented similar Government Orders.

Case Title: All India Judges Association Vs. Union of India & Ors.