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Government expects judges to travel economy class

PD Dinakaran who has been accused of amassing wealth, has opted out of an official judges delegation to Australia led by Chief Justice of India.

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As a group of judges is busy packing their stuff to fly out to Australia on Sunday night leaving behind controversial colleague Chief Justice of Karnataka, High Court PD Dinakaran, the government has played a bad sport expecting them to travel by economy class to reflect the nation’s concern for austerity.

Two Supreme Court judges-Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran - and 10 more judges from different High Courts form part of the delegation that’s getting ready to attend a `study programme’ during the Dussehra break starting on Saturday. The details of their itinerary, the class of their travel whether cattle or sacred cows, or for that matter places aren’t known. But they will return to work on October 28.

Are judges liable to abide by the government’s circular in September last prohibiting air travel by business or first class, Law Minister `judiciary is also expected to take the austere measures and comply the intent’’.

“They are expected to take into account the Finance Ministry’s September 7 last advisory to all the ministries and to the Judiciary as well”, Law minister M. Veerappa Moily said while refraining from making any comment on this tour.

Government circular issued to cope with the economic slowdown coupled with insufficient monsoons, discourages holding exhibitions and seminars abroad.
It also says first class air travel on government account would be completely stopped. If it’s domestic travel, only economy class would be permitted, irrespective of the entitlement. Travel should be permitted if absolutely necessary and the size of the delegation and duration of the stay should be limited.

Encouraged by the government’s concern, Law Commission noted with concern the Supreme Court judges’ “costly” foreign visits.

In its report on judicial reforms has said frequent visits by judges to foreign countries at high costs should be avoided in view of the austerity measures by the government’’.
The judges should give high court chief justices a chance to attend international conferences, the Law Comission said, adding “Opportunities to attend conferences/legal seminars in foreign countries should be given to judges of Supreme Court and chief justices of high courts in turn”.

The revelation made in response to a query by one S C Aggarwal under the Right to Information Act, it was revealed that top court judges air travel amounted to Rs 1.4 crore in a year excluding travel and daily allowance, which are payable as per rules.

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