Non-parity of grade pay of teachers: HC Kohima Bench issues notices

July 6, 2022 22 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | July 6

The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, on July 5, has issued notices with regard to a writ petition on violation of “right of equal pay for equal work” and other rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India, filed by a batch of school teachers.

As per the Court record, the petitioners informed that the State Cabinet on June 19, 2016, had approved upgradation of 262 posts of Graduate Teachers and Primary Teachers to the level of Post- Graduate Teachers.

Thereafter, the decision received clearance retroactively (ex-post facto clearance) of the P&AR Department and the concurrence of the Finance Department and the latter fixed the grade pay of Rs 4,600 in the upgraded post.

However, the petitioners claimed that the upgraded teachers of the 2014 batch are “allowed to enjoy a grade pay of Rs. 4,600,” while the petitioners, who are of the 2020 batch, has only been paid grade pay of Rs 4,400.

Aggrieved over the issue, the 2020 batch had approached the concerned authority for upgradation of the pay but so far, has not received any result.

Accordingly, asserting that depriving the grade pay of Rs. 4,600 “as paid to 2014 batch” is violation of the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India and the “right of equal pay for equal work,” the petitioners approached the court.

The single-bench judge Justice Kakheto Sema issued the notice to the State respondents “returnable within four weeks.”

The State respondents are Chief Secretary, Finance Commissioner; Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms; Commissioner & Secretary, Department Of School Education; and Principal Director, Directorate Of School Education.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/non-parity-of-grade-pay-of-teachers-hc-kohima-bench-issues-notices