Rs 50,000 spectacles allowance for Bombay High Court judges, spouses – Mumbai Mirror

The state government will pay every Bombay High Court judge Rs 50,000 annually to buy spectacles, according to a government resolution (GR) issued on July 10.

The annual reimbursement will also cover purchase of eyewear for the judges’ spouses and family members dependent on them as well as cover the cost of maintenance, the GR signed by Legal Advisor and Joint Secretary Yogesh Ameta says.

The reimbursement for spectacles was first discussed five to six months ago between the then chief justice and the then chief secretary Ajoy Mehta. After a little back-and-forth, the amount of Rs 50,000 was finalised to everybody’s satisfaction.

Mehta, now an advisor to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Legal Advisor Ameta remained unavailable for a comment on Tuesday.

As per the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, every judge and members of his/her family are entitled to “such facilities for medical treatment and for accommodation in hospitals as may, from time to time, be prescribed.” A retired judge and his/her family members are too entitled to medical/hospitalisation facilities, the Act says, at par with a retired officer of the Central Civil Services, Class I. Sitting judges are also entitled to reimbursement on actual basis for the medicines they may buy.