New Delhi, July 20: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union Government to constitute a committee within two weeks to frame uniform guidelines governing the post-retirement facilities to be extended to retired Chief Justices and judges of the High Courts across the country.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed that the committee shall be constituted in two weeks and submit its recommendations to both the Union Government and the Supreme Court within three months of its constitution. The Court has also directed the committee to recommend the manner and mechanism for sharing the financial burden between the Centre and the States.

"The larger issue revolves around whether certain benefits/facilities are to be made admissible to the retired Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts. It is a matter of record that basic facilities like domestic help, driver, telephone, medical reimbursement and transit stay in Government accommodation etc., vary from State to State. The lack of uniformity has prompted the Association of Retired Judges firstly to approach the authorities and thereafter invoke the writ jurisdiction of this Court. It further appears that the Union of India is also a vital stakeholder, especially when we expect that a part of the financial burden ought to be shared by the Union and the States in a defined manner. There can indeed be no doubt that these facilities must be ensured on a uniform basis and there is no reason for these to vary from State to State," the Court said.

The Court, therefore, directed the Solicitor General of India (SGI), Tushar Mehta, to persuade the Union Government to constitute the committee.

"We have asked the learned Solicitor General to persuade the Union of India to constitute a committee to lay down the uniform guidelines and also the manner and mechanism for financial assistance. Let such a committee be constituted within two weeks. There shall be an endeavour by the committee to submit its recommendations to the Union of India and to this Court within three months of its constitution", the Court said.

During the hearing, the CJI also remarked, "Looking after senior citizens is part of our culture also."

The matter has been directed to be listed after three months, by which time the committee is expected to place its recommendations before the Court. (ANI)