Supreme Court Summons Top Officials Over Pay Commission Non-Compliance

The Supreme Court has summoned the chief and finance secretaries of several states and Union Territories for failing to comply with the Second National Judicial Pay Commission's recommendations on paying arrears of pension and other benefits to judicial officers. The bench expressed its displeasure and warned of potential contempt if compliance is not met by the next hearing.

The Supreme Court on Thursday summoned the chief and finance secretaries of several states and Union Territories for non-compliance with the Second National Judicial Pay Commission recommendations on the payment of pension arrears and retirement benefits to judicial officers.

Expressing strong displeasure, a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, warned that failure to comply may lead to contempt proceedings. The bench emphasized, "We know how to extract compliance now."

With the court already granting seven opportunities for compliance, several states remain in default, including Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and others. The bench has set an August 23 deadline for personal appearances by the chief and finance secretaries and rejected requests for extensions.