PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notice to the State Government on a petition filed by 310 line helpers of the Electricity Department seeking revision of their salaries in line with the Sixth and Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar directed the government to file an affidavit in reply within four weeks while adjourning the matter to June 17.
The petitioners, led by Sanju Gawade and Shivraj Gaonkar, moved the court claiming their salaries were not fixed in accordance with Pay Commission norms at the time of their appointments from 2008 onwards.
As per the plea, the line helpers were entitled to a minimum salary of Rs 7,000 in the pay scale of Rs 5,200-20,200 with a grade pay of Rs 1,800. However, they were allegedly paid Rs 5,740 in the lower pay scale of Rs 4,440-7,440 with a grade pay of Rs 1,300, resulting in a monthly shortfall of Rs 1,260.
The petitioners, represented by Advocates Shashikant Joshi and Swapna Joshi, further stated that the shortfall continued over the years and has impacted their overall earnings, including retirement benefits such as pension, gratuity and leave encashment. The line helpers also sought arrears along with interest and application of a 3 per cent increment on the shortfall as per Pay Commission recommendations.
