Mandi, July 18: In a significant ruling, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to grant higher grade pay to employees working as Junior Draftsmen. The decision comes as a major relief for those who had been fighting for their rightful dues for a long time.
The Case at a Glance
The petition was filed by several employees, including Ramesh Chand, Chet Ram, Roshni Devi, and Ganga Ram, who are currently serving as Junior Draftsmen in the Jal Shakti Department. They argued that they had completed two years of regular service and were, therefore, entitled to higher grade pay, which had not been granted.
Court’s Verdict
While disposing of the petitions, the High Court ordered the state government to provide higher grade pay to these employees from the date they completed their regular service. The court also directed the government to pay revised salary arrears with 12% interest. Furthermore, the bench instructed that the entire process be completed within four weeks and that the petitioners be duly informed. The judgment was delivered by a bench led by Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, with advocates Ajay Thakur and Anita Devi representing the petitioners.
Relief for Employees
This ruling is expected to benefit many employees who have long been denied the pay scale they are entitled to. The decision is likely to improve their financial conditions and morale.
Direction to State Government
The High Court’s ruling underscores the need for the state government to adopt a more sensitive and just approach towards its employees. It must ensure that all employees receive the benefits they are entitled to and that justice is not delayed.
Background
On September 6, 2022, the state government issued a notification stating that only those employees who had completed regular service by January 3, 2022, would be eligible for higher grade pay. However, a significant number of employees who joined just a day later—on January 4, 2022—were excluded from this benefit.
The issue was first raised in court by Mohit Sharma and Ayushi, clerks in the Education Department. The High Court ruled in their favor, leading to a series of similar petitions from affected employees across the state. In each case, the court has ruled in favor of the employees, reinforcing their right to higher grade pay.
