The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts has decided that the National Pay Commission should determine how to proceed regarding the large allowance requested by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for the Chief Justice, upon retirement.

The parliamentary committee made this decision on Monday. Committee members decided that although JSC has the power to determine judges' retirement benefits under the Judges Act, such benefits should be given according to the guidelines set by the National Pay Commission under the State Salary Policy Act.

In addition to this, noting that this would be an additional burden for the government to bear, the Public Accounts Committee also decided to seek advice from the Ministry of Finance and Planning on the matter.

The parliamentary committee has been working on amending the Judges Retirement Act. The Chief Justice of the Maldives, Ahmed Muthasim Adnan had submitted his retirement while three Supreme Court justices were suddenly suspended, accused of "shutting down" the court. JSC proposed changes to the Chief Justice's retirement benefits after his abrupt retirement.

The commission submitted it to the People’s Majlis to provide additional benefits if the Chief Justice retires. This included a monthly allowance of MVR 70,000, comprising a travel allowance - driver's salary and petrol - and a living allowance.

Further, they have requested that when calculating the retirement allowance, the duration of service should include not only the time spent as a judge but also the entire period of service to the state.

RaajjeMV has obtained a copy of the letter sent by JSC to the Speaker of Parliament. According to the letter, under the current system, Muthasim would receive a total of MVR 185,100 upon retirement. However, with the amendments proposed by JSC, this amount would increase to MVR 493,600. Further, his current monthly allowance of MVR 47,182.50 would increase to MVR 70,000.

Under the current regulations, judges retiring at the age of 55 are eligible for benefits only if they have served as a judge for 10 years.