Transport monetisation for judicial officers initiated

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has rolled out a Transport Monetisation Policy enabling judicial officers serving in the district judiciary across Punjab to purchase their officially allotted vehicles at depreciated rates.

As part of the new arrangement, judicial officers will no longer be entitled to official fuel, maintenance or driver facilities for personal use. The policy has been enforced with retrospective effect from July 1 this year.

In place of these benefits, they will receive a monthly transport allowance, the amount of which will be fixed by the competent authority and revised from time to time in accordance with fuel prices and economic conditions.

According to a notification issued by the LHC registrar, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum approved the policy in line with the decisions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) and the Punjab cabinet.

A major component of the policy allows judicial officers to purchase the official vehicles presently allotted to them by paying a depreciated lump-sum amount. Those opting not to purchase the vehicles will have to surrender them immediately to the respective district and sessions judge.

The notification provides that the price will be worked out by applying depreciation at the rate of 15 per cent during the first year and 10% for every subsequent year on the vehicle's original purchase cost.

The policy requires the entire purchase amount to be paid in lump sum through a pay order or demand draft in favour of the LHC registrar.

It stipulates that the sale price will not be less than Rs200,000 for vehicles up to 1,000cc and Rs250,000 for an engine capacity of 1,300cc or above. Officers intending to purchase their allotted vehicles will also have to furnish a written undertaking accepting the prescribed terms and conditions.

After the purchase, the vehicles must be registered as private. Government registration numbers and green number plates will have to be surrendered, while all expenses relating to re-registration, transfer and applicable taxes will be borne by the purchasing judicial officer.

The notification makes it clear that the facility is available only to judicial officers who have been officially allotted vehicles.

It also extends the option to the widow or spouse of a judicial officer who dies during service, allowing them to purchase the allotted vehicle at the depreciated price, subject to the prescribed procedure and approval.

Judicial officers facing disciplinary proceedings, as well as those who have already surrendered their official vehicles, will generally not be entitled to avail themselves of the scheme.