Extend facilities to retired judges: HC

CUTTACK: In a significant judgment, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday directed the State Government to modify rules to extend telephone, medical benefits and facilities along with domestic help to retired judges.The division bench comprising Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice BN Mohapatra has directed the Government to incorporate necessary changes by taking into consideration the cases of other States in the eastern region and implement the order in two months.The bench observed that, “It is an undisputed fact that the judges lead a distinct lifestyle being provided with many help and assistance. Immediately after retirement all such facilities are withdrawn and thus it will definitely be difficult on the part of the judge to lead a dignified life without any assistance.” The bench pointed out that all these assistance are basic requirements of a retired judge to mitigate his day-to-day problems and issues.To maintain a good healthy life, minimum medical facility should be provided along with a domestic help. States like West Bengal, Chhattishgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are providing such facilities to retired judges, it noted. Acting on a writ petition filed by Orissa Retired Judges Association through its president and secretary Justices Basudev Panigrahi and CR Pal respectively, the court had earlier issued notice to the State Government to submit its response. The petitioner association had filed a writ petition seeking a direction to the State Government to provide medical facilities as was available during incumbency of judgeship and enhance other allowances on par with other states.Citing reference of other high courts on the issue, the association had appealed  for provisioning of similar facilities to retired judges.