The Punjab & Haryana High Court has delivered a powerful rebuke to the Punjab government, condemning its practice of limiting the benefits of court judgments to only those who approach the judiciary as a violation of fundamental constitutional principles.
Court's Strong Stance on Equality
In a significant ruling that underscores the importance of equal treatment, the High Court emphasized that restricting the effect of judicial pronouncements defeats the very essence of equality before law. The bench made it clear that when a court delivers a judgment, its benefits should extend to all similarly situated employees, not just the petitioners who filed the case.
Punjab Government's Failure as Employer
The court specifically called out the Punjab administration for failing to act as a "model employer," highlighting how the government's approach of granting benefits selectively creates discrimination among employees performing identical duties. This practice, the court noted, forces numerous employees to approach courts individually for the same relief, burdening both the judiciary and the citizens.
Landmark Case Background
The ruling came while hearing a petition filed by a Punjab Roadways driver who was denied the regular pay scale granted to other drivers in similar positions. Despite previous court judgments establishing the right to proper pay scales for drivers, the government had been applying these benefits only to those who approached the court individually.
Broader Implications
This judgment sets a crucial precedent for how government bodies must implement court decisions. The High Court's strong position serves as a reminder that constitutional principles of equality cannot be compromised by administrative convenience or selective application of judicial rulings.
The court has directed the Punjab government to extend the benefits of the judgment to all similarly placed employees, marking a significant victory for government employees' rights and establishing an important benchmark for how state governments should function as employers.
