In a landmark judgment, the Tripura High Court has declared a long-standing state government policy, which mandated a fixed pay for the first five years of service for newly recruited employees, as unconstitutional. The decision brings relief to thousands of government staff who were appointed through competitive examinations.
A Policy Struck Down After Decades
The controversial policy was originally introduced by the Left Front government in two phases: for Group C posts in 2001 and for Group D posts in 2007. It required recruits to sanctioned positions to serve on a fixed pay scale for a minimum of five years before being placed on the regular pay scale with all associated benefits.
Despite a change in administration, the practice continued even after the BJP-led government assumed office in 2018. This continuity prompted several aggrieved parties, including teachers appointed through the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET), to challenge the policy in the High Court.
The Court's Historic Ruling
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit heard the long-pending writ petitions. The petitioners' counsel, Purushottam Roy Barman, argued against the discriminatory nature of the policy.
The High Court, in its ruling, held that all government employees are entitled to draw their full regular salary from the very first day of their employment. The bench explicitly stated that the policy was "unconstitutional", thereby nullifying its effect. The court also directed the 18 employees who filed the writ petitions to pay a nominal court cost of Rs 2,000 each.
Implications and Future Course
This judgment sets a significant precedent for the rights of government employees in Tripura and potentially in other states with similar rules. The court has empowered the affected employees, stating that they may pursue further legal action if the state government does not comply with the order.
The decision underscores the principle of equal pay for equal work from the date of joining, putting an end to a 25-year-old practice that financially disadvantaged new recruits for half a decade. It marks a major victory for employee unions and individuals who had been campaigning against what they deemed an unfair system.
