SHILLONG: The facilities provided to chief justices and justices came under scrutiny during a session of the ongoing budget in the Meghalaya Assembly by the Opposition on Wednesday.
In response, Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh assured that the facilities adhered to established guidelines.
According to Lyngdoh, chief justices receive Rs 50,000 for secretarial assistance and domestic help allowances, while justices are allocated Rs 40,000 for the same purposes.
Additionally, full medical reimbursement is extended to sitting judges as per the Meghalaya Medical Attendance Rules 2021 in all empanelled hospitals, she said.
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During the Question Hour, Congress legislator Celestine Lyngdoh sought clarification on whether judges with three months left in service would continue to receive these facilities, to which the reply affirmed the extension of such benefits.
Further inquiry by the MLA delved into whether similar provisions were mandated in other states, receiving confirmation in the affirmative.
Both Celestine and Charles Pyngrope from the Trinamool Congress highlighted concerns regarding accommodation preferences for retired judges from Meghalaya in houses located outside the state, which allegedly impacted others, including MLAs seeking housing.
Earlier on February 11, Justice S Vaidyanathan assumed office as the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
The swearing-in ceremony, presided over by Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan, took place at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan in a simple yet dignified affair.
Justice Vaidyanathan’s appointment followed his nomination by the Supreme Court collegium on November 1 of the previous year, succeeding Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, who retired in November.
Prior to his elevation, Justice Vaidyanathan served as a judge of the Madras High Court since October 2013, bringing with him a wealth of judicial experience to his new role in Meghalaya.
