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Madhavi Sharma,
Haveli Institute of Legal Studies and Research
In the ongoing legal proceedings of the All-India Judges’ Association case, the Supreme Court is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations by the Second National Judicial Pay Commission (SNJPC). The Supreme Court set out to examine the tax deduction at source (TDS) provisions concerning the various allowances designated for judicial officers.
The SNJPC has recommended various allowances for judicial officers, including house rent allowances, medical allowances, and child education allowances, among others. Some states have been imposing TDS on these allowances, prompting the need for a clear determination on this matter.
The crucial aspects of the case All India Judges Ass’n v. Union of India, W.P.(C)No. 643 of 2015, (2015) 4 SCC 639, are as follows:
Under the direction of Justice P.V. Reddy, a former member of the Supreme Court, the Second National Judicial Pay Commission made changes to the pay and pension structure for judicial officers.
The recommendations, which included revising the allowances for judicial officers and retired judicial officers, were approved by the Supreme Court.
The Court rejected objections from the Union Government and state governments, citing concerns about increased financial burdens and the need to follow individual state rules.
The Court emphasized the significance of maintaining dignified working conditions for judicial officers, considering their significant benefits to the rule of law and the need for independence.
The Court also stressed the difference between the conditions of service for judicial officers and those in other services, like the All India Services.
The recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission were largely affirmed, with some variations.
The issue arose because several states have been imposing TDS on these allowances, and the court needs to determine if this practice is appropriate. The possible directions that the Supreme Court might consider in this case are clarification on TDS applicability, in which the court might clarify whether the TDS is applicable to allowances paid to judicial officers under SNJPC, providing guidelines on the tax liability of these allowances. All aspects of the Supreme Court decision will have significant implications for judicial officers with these important issue guidelines.
The decision covers 13 types of major and minor allowances for judicial officers. Further deliberations have been scheduled by the Supreme Court on this issue for August 5, 2024. The decision will have significant implications for the financial treatment of judicial officer allowances across India.
CONCLUSION
The judicial officers will be benefited if the supreme court decides TDS should not be apply to the allowances given to judicial officers under SNJPC recommendations and through this without TDS deduction, judicial officers would receive a higher net amount in their paychecks and the judicial officers might find it to be easier to manage their taxes without the need to claim refunds for TDS deductions and this will lead to increased take-home pay and simplified tax filing benefitting to the judicial officers and just by on the other hand if court rules that TDS should apply, it could ensure uniformity in tax treatment and compliance across different states, potentially benefitting the tax administrations system.
REFERENCES
1.(May19,2023), https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2015/23229/23229_2015_1_1501_44621_Judgeme nt_19-May-2023.pdf.
2. Arpit Kulshrestha, SC to Consider TDS Applicability on Allowances for Judicial Officers Under SNJPC, Next Hearing on 5th Aug, (July 18, 2024), https://blog.saginfotech.com/sc-consider-tds-applicability-allowances-judicial-officerssnjpc-next-hearing-5th-aug.
3. Big Supreme Court Action Over Non-Compliance Of Pay Panel's Report, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/big-supreme-court-action-against-states-over-noncompliance-of-pay-panels-report-6084014.
4. Second National Judicial Pay Commission] SC summons Chief Secretaries & Finance
Secretaries of States over Judicial Officer’s arrears of pay and allowances, SCC Times (July 12, 2024),https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2024/07/12/sc-summons-chiefsecretaries-finance-secretaries-states-failing-clear-arrears-pay-allowances-judicialofficers-snjpc/.
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