Lower court judges' salary raise in limbo
The government is yet to decide whether to raise salaries of lower court judges despite being directed by the Supreme Court to do so by November 4.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told The Daily Star yesterday that the government is considering implementation of the apex court order.
He, however, said the highest level of the state will take this decision.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed refused to make any comment on this issue.
A law ministry high official requesting anonymity said some ministers concerned do not agree to increase benefits of judicial officials as their [judicial officials] benefits then will be equal to that of administrative officials.
Judicial officials are being deprived of their legal financial benefits due to government's inaction regarding execution of the SC directive, he added.
In 2008, the Judicial Service Pay Commission (JSPC) had suggested providing lower court judges allowances equal to their basic monthly salaries and to increase other facilities for them.
The commission had proposed maximum Tk 40,000 scale for district judges and equivalent officials and minimum Tk 16,500 scale for assistant judges and equivalent officials.
The SC on October 1 gave one month to the government to increase salaries and other facilities of judicial officials as per recommendations of JSPC.
The same day, during hearing of Masdar Hossain Case, popularly known as judiciary separation case, the apex court ordered the government to submit a report to it by November 4 after implementing JSPC's recommendations.
The court also fixed November 4 for hearing on the case and passing a further order.
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