In a forceful ruling, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has criticized the state government for its failure to implement a 20% pay increase for the court’s non-gazetted employees, as previously directed by both the High Court and upheld by the Supreme Court. The court has now given the state government a two-week deadline to comply with the order, warning of potential contempt charges if ignored.
Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sandeep Sharma, presiding over the division bench, issued the order on April 7 while hearing an execution petition from the HC Non-Gazetted Employees Union. This action was taken following the state government’s inaction after the Supreme Court confirmed the High Court’s directive to implement the salary increase in four installments.
During the hearing, the bench expressed clear frustration with the state’s delays, stating, “We are clearly of the view that the respondents (State) are deliberately avoiding to implement the decision rendered by this Court, as affirmed by the Supreme Court.”
The court highlighted that the delay was unnecessary as a committee, formed by the High Court and endorsed by the Supreme Court, had already recommended the pay raise and the payment of arrears. However, the state had not issued the required notification, citing the need for further approvals which the court dismissed as a “misadventure.”
“The State was only required to issue a formal notification… and there was no question whatsoever to obtain further approval from any of the advisory departments,” the order stated. The court refrained from invoking contempt at this stage but made it clear that continued non-compliance would lead to more severe legal actions.
The matter is now scheduled for a compliance hearing on April 23. The demand for the pay increase dates back to 2018, aiming to achieve salary parity with employees of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The resolution initially appeared in sight with a January 2023 approval, but has since been mired in bureaucratic delays.
