State gives nod to 1,344 more judicial posts

Home Secretary Apoorva Verma, in an affidavit filed before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar, stated that a letter dated December 5 has been issued whereby the government has agreed to sanction the said posts within the end of this calendar year. The matter relates to a PIL from the TN Judicial Ministerial Officers’ Association, praying for a direction to the state government to pay compensatory allowance to the staff attending Lok Adalats on holidays. 

In the course of hearing the plea, the first bench had pulled up the Home Secretary based on the report that the sanction of additional staff as sought will result in a burden of up to Rs 30.18 crore on the government. The report had also stated that the proposal for additional staff was not in line with the recommendations of Justice Shetty Commission. 

However, the state now along with assuring the sanction of additional posts has also told the court that the Housing and Urban Development department will reserve 15 per cent of the accommodation for judicial staff in the scheme earmarked for government staff. The case has been listed for further hearing to January 6, 2017.