Consider proposal to increase retirement age of High Court staff at earliest: Kerala High Court to State government

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to expeditiously consider the proposal made in a report by a committee of judges to increase the retirement age of the staff of the High Court from 56 to 58 years. [Sajeev Kumar PP v. State of Kerala & Ors].Justice Devan Ramachandran was hearing a plea moved by a staff member of the High Court in this regard when he was informed that the committee of judges had recommended the enhancement of the retirement age in order to retain experienced staff who can help it transition to a 'Model Digital Court', the first of its kind in the country."...on the proposal of enhancement of age of superannuation of members of the staff of the High Court from 56 to 58, the High Court is foraying into customary and paperless courts to strike a balance between swiftness and adherence to verification procedures in matter of adjudication. The High Court feels that the service of experienced staff could be utilised during the transitory stage," the Committee's report stated. The judge was further informed that the said transitory stage begins from January 2023..Special Government Pleader TB Hood submitted that the proposal is under the active consideration of the government and that a decision would be taken on the same without any inordinate delay.The Court recorded the submission and emphasised that the government must take an expeditious decision, considering the fact that the High Court will require experienced staff at the helm to steer it though the upcoming transition."It is thus clear that, on one side, it is obligatory on the Government to consider the proposal of this Court in its proper perspective; while, on the other, the requirement of experienced staff for it, during the transitory period, is unexpendable. To obtain a balance, I am certain that Government must take a decision on Ext.P3 (report) at the earliest, keeping in mind the above important aspects, especially that the “transitory stage” is commencing soon," the Court said in its order.It also ordered that the retirement of the petitioner and one of the respondents, who is also a staff member of the High Court, will be subject to the final orders in this writ petition..The petitioner was represented by Advocate P Deepak. The respondent staff member was represented by Advocate Rigin George Veliyath..[Read Order]