Uttarakhand High Court Demands State Government Action on Unpaid College Salaries
The Uttarakhand High Court has issued a directive to the state government, requiring it to clarify its position regarding the non-payment of salaries to teachers and staff at eight colleges affiliated with Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (HNBGU). The court has set a strict deadline of two weeks for the submission of a detailed response.
Contempt Petition Highlights Systemic Issues
A single bench presided over by Justice Alok Kumar Verma heard a contempt petition that brought to light severe irregularities in salary payments, stalled appointment processes, and a lack of promotions for educators. The court expressed deep concern over why teachers and staff at these institutions continue to face irregular salary disbursements, despite previous orders from a division bench and an agreement established between the state and central governments.
The bench also questioned the state government's failure to make new appointments, exacerbating the staffing crisis in these educational institutions.
Five Years of Unpaid Salaries and Legal Battles
According to case details presented in court, teachers and staff at the eight HNBGU-affiliated colleges have not received their salaries for the past five years. The petitioners revealed that following an earlier court order, a crucial meeting was held in 2024 involving representatives from the central government, the state government, and HNBGU. During this meeting, it was decided that as long as the matter remained sub judice before the High Court, the state government would assume responsibility for salary payments.
However, the state government has refused to comply with this agreement, arguing that the issue pertains to a central university and thus falls outside its jurisdiction. This refusal has led to widespread protests by employees, with salaries being disbursed irregularly—sometimes only after gaps of six months or more.
List of Affected Institutions
The contempt petition specifically names the following colleges, highlighting the geographic spread of the issue across Uttarakhand:
- DAV PG College in Dehradun
- DBS College in Dehradun
- DWT College in Dehradun
- MKP PG College in Dehradun
- Guru Ram Rai College in Mussoorie and Dehradun
- MPG College in Mussoorie
- Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Sati Kund, Kankhal, Haridwar
- Chinmaya Degree College in Haridwar
- Rath Mahavidyalaya in Paithani, Pauri Garhwal
The ongoing non-payment of salaries, despite clear court orders, has prompted the filing of this contempt petition, seeking immediate redressal for the affected educators and staff members.
