NEW DELHI, Dec 3 - Judges posted at the four High Courts in North East are not entitled to a special monetary allowance extended to officers of North East cadre of all-India services, the Law Ministry has told the Gauhati High Court citing recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.
�... The proposal for grant of additional monetary incentive allowance to the judges of high courts of Northeastern States has not been agreed to,� the Department of Justice in the Law Ministry has informed the Registrar General of Gauhati High Court.
Referring to a September 2015 judgement of Supreme Court on the issue, the Department of Justice said the matter was again referred to Department of Personnel and Training for their views.
�However, they have clarified that the Seventh Pay Commission has not recommended to extend (the) special allowance granted to all-India services officers to any other service and the government has accepted the recommendation,� the letter, sent on November 27, said.
The special allowance at the rate of 25 per cent of their basic salary in addition to other perks is granted to all- India services officers of North East cadre to motivate them for a �longer period�, the letter pointed out.
The cumulative working strength of the high courts of Gauhati, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura is 24 judges.
The approved strength, on the other hand, is 37 � a shortfall of 13 judges, according to latest Law Ministry data. � PTI
