States Have Money To Give Freebies But Can't Pay Judges: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday verbally observed that while state governments seem to have money to provide “freebies” to citizens who do not work, a financial crunch is cited when paying salaries and pensions of judges of the district judiciary, Bar and Bench reported.

Social welfare schemes such as free public transport and concessions in electricity bills are referred to as “freebies” by some.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih made the comment while responding to a submission by Attorney General R Venkataramani that the government needs to take into consideration its financial constraints when it decides the pay scale and retirement benefits of judicial officers, The Indian Express reported.