SC annoyed with laid-back attitude of State govts

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) The Supreme Court today strongly disapproved of the attitude of state governments taking the orders and directions of the apex court in a casual manner.

The strong observation from the court came during the hearing of a petition of the All India Judges' Association and others seeking compliance with the recommendations of Justice Shetty Commission report for improving the service conditions of Judicial Officers of District Judiciary in the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Mr Justice C K Thakkar and Mr Justice P K Balasubramanyan observed, ''If this is the response of the states to the orders and directions of the Court, what will happen to other courts?'' The Apex Court was annoyed when it found that as many as 12 states have not filed affidavits of compliance as per directions of the court, dated February 7.

On the issue of Separation of Power between the Judiciary and the Excecutive in the North Eastern states, the court requested the Chief Justice from Guwahati Court to take up this matter at the highest level and see that the separation comes into effect without any further delay, preferably before the Courts are closed for Puja Vacations. The court also directed the State Government to ask their functionaries to fully cooperate with the Chief Justice and directed that the copy of today's order be sent to the Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court and the Chief Ministers of the states concrend.

Regarding the non implementation of Justice Shetty Commission report by the states, the court noted, '' The state of fear in theses states is most unfortunnate and affidavits for compliance have not been filed even when the time-period for filing such affidavits expired in April.

Instead of directing the personal presence of the Chief Secretaries of the states for the present, we direct the chief secretaries to personally ensure the compliance with the orders of the court. It will be the personal responsibilitiy of each Chief Secretary to not only ensure compliance but to file affidavit on or before August 31, 2006.'' The Court was, however, informed that the recommendations of Justice Shetty Commission for informing the service condition of subordinate judiciary have been implemented by the Central government in the Union Territory.

The Recommendations include-- a) Rent Free Accommodation for the judges, Medical facilities per state MLAs and implementation of assured progression, (ACP scheme) for the judicial official in the district judiciary to avoid stagnation in their carrer, Other facilities include: provision of petrol and power and free telephone.

UNI AKS SC PR AR BD1303