Rs 50,000 Spectacles Allowance for High Court Judges, Spouses

The state govt will pay every Bombay HC judge Rs 50,000 annually to buy spectacles, according to a govt resolution (GR) issued on July 10.

The annual reimbursement will also cover purchase of eyewear for the judges’ spouses & family members dependent on them as well as cover the cost of maintenance, the govt resolution (GR) signed by Legal Advisor & Joint Secretary Yogesh Ameta says.

The reimbursement for spectacles was first discussed five to six months ago between the then chief justice & the then chief secretary Ajoy Mehta. After a little back-and-forth, the amount of Rs 50,000 was finalised to everybody’s satisfaction.

Mehta, now an advisor to CM Uddhav Thackeray & Legal Advisor Ameta remained unavailable for a comment on Tuesday.

As per the High Court Judges (Salaries & Conditions of Service) Act, every judge & members of his/her family are entitled to “such facilities for medical treatment & for accommodation in hospitals as may, from time to time, be prescribed.” A retired judge & his/her family members are too entitled to medical/hospitalisation facilities, the Act says, at par with a retired officer of the Central Civil Services, Class I. Sitting judges are also entitled to reimbursement on actual basis for the medicines they may buy.

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