Kochi: The High Court has upheld the final judgment in the petition related to increasing the pension age for two High Court employees who will retire at the end of December.
Justice Devan Ramachandran’s order came in a petition filed by the High Court employees seeking to allow them to continue to retire on December 31 while the government is considering the recommendation to increase the pension age.
The order recorded the assurance of the government advocate that the recommendation given by the committee comprising of judges to increase the retirement age is under active consideration by the government and a decision will be taken soon.
The court said that the committee has submitted its recommendation to the government in the context of introducing reforms including a model digital court system for the first time in India. A paperless system is underway in the courts. The changes will come into effect from January 1. The transition to a new system requires the services of experienced personnel. It is also considering this that the recommendation to increase the retirement age. The court also asked for a speedy decision on the recommendation taking into consideration the special situation which is part of the reforms being implemented in the court.
The government lawyer said that the government will consider the recommendation in a proper manner and take a decision soon.
The court then clarified that the retirement of the petitioners will be subject to the final verdict in their petition.
Another bench had passed a similar order on a petition filed by two high court employees who were due to retire in November. They retired. This was pointed out by the government lawyer while considering new petitions.