In austere mode,govt in a bind over CJI’s Australia trip

The Ministry had also ordered a 10 per cent cut in non-plan expenditure by reducing foreign and domestic travel,publicity expenses and banning conferences in five-star hotels.

The Justice Ministry is now planning to take the matter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However,this could compound the problem,as the MEA had cleared the visit on the ground that no funding would be accepted from any foreign agency as was said in the original proposal from the judiciary. The visit was scheduled on the invitation of the Chief Justice of the Australian Federal Court as part of an exchange programme. The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has offered to pick the tab,including the travel expenses.

“It is government policy that dignitaries such as ministers and Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts should not go abroad on jaunts funded by foreign agencies. We have informed the Law Ministry that we have no problem with the visit if the government bears the expenses,” said a MEA official. If government would have to bear over Rs 25 lakh in expenses if it clears the visit,sources said.

Interestingly,the CJI has already conveyed to the government that he has accepted the invitation in anticipation of confirmation. The visit of the delegation,starting September 18 and ending on September 26,is aimed at strengthening ties between common law countries.

“If the visit is sanctioned,the government will have to bear the expenses. We are not sure if such a large contingent should be cleared at a time when the government wants to showcase austerity. But,nothing is certain as the matter involves the higher judiciary,” said a senior government functionary.