Sukhnath Sai v. Union Of India
NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR WPS No. 459 of 2017
1. Sukhnath Sai S/o Subran Ram, Aged About 45 Years Working As Cook, Presently Posted On Primary School Narayanbahli, Tahsil + Block Kansabel, Distt. Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
2. Smt. Shobhavati Bai, W/o Vinay Ram, Aged About 36 Years Working As Cook, Presently Posted On Primary School Sujibahar, Tahsil + Block Kansabel, Distt. Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
3. Ravel Tirkey, S/o Sane Ram, Aged About 50 Years Working As Cook, Presently Posted On Primary School Madiya Jhariya, Tahsil + Block Kansabel, Distt. Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
4. Hichkel Toppo, S/o Naiman Toppo, Aged About 48 Years Working As Cook, Presently Posted On Primary School Kenadand, Tahsil + Block Kansabel, Distt. Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
5. Ganesh Ram, S/o Dangu Ram, Aged About 45 Years Working As Cook, Presently Posted On Middle School Devri, Tahsil + Block Kansabel, Distt. Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
6. Smt. Champa Bai, W/o. Hiradhar Ram, Aged About 38 Years Working As Cook, Presently Posted On Middle School Devri, Tahsil + Block Kansabel, Distt. Jashpur (Chhattisgarh) ---- Petitioners
Versus
1. Union Of India Through : The Secretary, Ministry Of Human Resources Development, Department, Of School Education And Literacy, Mid Day Meal Division Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. State Of Chhattisgarh, Through : The Secretary, Department Of Education, New Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, New Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
3. Directorate, School Education, Through : The Director, School Education, Shiksha Parisar, Pension Bada, Raipur, District Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
4. The Collector, Jashpur, District Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
5. District Education Officer, Jashpur, District Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
6. Block Education Officer, Kansabel, District Jashpur (Chhattisgarh) --- Respondents For Petitioner :
Mr. Somkant Verma, Advocate For Respondents/State :
Mr. Raj Kumar Gupta, Advocate and Mr. Aditya Sharma, Panel Lawyer
Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal Order on Board 27/01/2017 1.
Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are working on the post of Cook in the Government Middle School and they are being paid only Rs.1200/- per month i.e. Rs.40/- per day, whereas according to the notification Annexure P/2, minimum wages prescribed by the Chhattisgarh Minimum Wage, they are entitled for Rs.255/- per day as they are skilled labour. He would rely upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in the matter of State of Punjab & Ors. Vs. Jagjit Singh & Ors., decided on 26th October, 2016, in which the Supreme Court has held that the principle of equal pay for equal work will also applicable to all the temporary employees and has been held as under:- "54.
There is no room for any doubt, that the principle of 'equal pay for equal work' has emerged from an interpretation of different provisions of the Constitution. The principle has been expounded through a large number of judgments rendered by this Court, and constitutes law declared by this Court. The same is binding on all the courts in India, under Article 141 of the Constitution of India. The parameters of the principle, have been summarized by us in paragraph 42 hereinabove. The principle of 'equal pay for equal work' has also been extended to temporary employees (differently described as workcharge, daily-wage, casual, ad-hoc, contractual, and the like). The legal position, relating to temporary employees, has been summarized by us, in paragraph 44 hereinabove.
2.
In view of above, respondent No.2 is directed to consider the representation of the petitioners in the light of aforesaid judgment of the Supreme Court within 30 days from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order and to pass a reasoned order in accordance with law on its own merit. The petitioners are at liberty to make an additional
representation,if any.
3.
With the aforesaid direction, the writ petition stands finally disposed of.
Sd/- (Sanjay K. Agrawal) JUDGE L/-