Gauhati High Court rebukes Assam Accountant General for 'callous' approach in disbursing pending pay to district judges

The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday slammed the Assam Accountant General for delays in transferring pending pay arrears to district judges in the State on a timely basis. [Assam Judicial Service Association and ors vs Principle Accountant General Assam].A bench of Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devashis Baruah asked a representative from the authority who was present in Court why judicial officers should even have to run around for their salaries."Why these errors? If judicial officers have to come to court that will the ultimate ignominy for them. Why (are pay slips not sent)? Why do you need the order of the High Court? This is the part of your duties. Every date we get a report that there are errors. How long will this status continue?" Chief Justice Mehta remarked.The representative replied that 85 per cent of errors in pay slips were resolved through a continuous process.Senior Advocate Unni Krishnan Nair appeared for the Assam Judicial Service Association, who had moved court on this issue. He pointed out that there were continuing issues with provident fund deductions and transfers of arrear amounts, among other errors.This prompted the Chief Justice to remark,"Are we supposed to take up these issues? Are the judicial officers supposed to run around? Why cannot you improve your system? This is their entitlement arising from service. Why cannot you make the process seamless? We are tackling these issues since February ... Every time, some or the other assurance is given, which does not materialise ... What can be more callous on your part?"The bench wondered if it could even accept the argument made on behalf of the Accountant General that in 15 per cent of cases where errors were found, the arrears could not be paid because of want of documents.Nair emphasised that rather than a piecemeal approach, a procedure would need to be formalised to resolve the issue. .The Court proceeded to direct the Assam Accountant General (AAG) to speedily implement the Integrated Financial Management System software in the State.Further, the AAG was ordered to appoint a nodal officer and install a dedicated helpline by Friday, to address any grievances of the petitioners in the interim.The High Court also asked the AAG to resolve any issues in the matter with the State Treasury, by the end of the day. The matter has been listed next on August 8.