Morung Express News
Kohima | May 22
A contempt petition has been registered in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench to initiate contempt proceedings against the State respondents (represented by Nagaland Home Commissioner and Commissioner) alleging “willful and deliberate violation” of the judgment and order dated September 7, 2022.
The September 7 judgment and order had directed the Government of Nagaland to pay ex-cadre/contingency Dobashis (DBs) “the minimum scale of pay which is paid to the regular Grade-II DBs employed against sanctioned posts along with arrears” from the date of filing the writ petition on the issue.
“The completion of all exercises to carry out the directions of this Court shall be within a period of 90 days from the date of passing the order,” ruled the judgment passed by Justice Kakheto Sema, relying on the law laid down by the Supreme Court on the principle of 'equal pay for equal work.'
“This Court has no hesitation in holding that the petitioners who discharge the same nature of work and duties as that of the regular Grade-II DBs in sanctioned posts, and the ex-cadre/contingency DBs who are paid scale pay, are entitled to pay parity based on the principle of equal pay for equal work,” it then added.
The Bench was hearing a writ petition filed by Ex-cadre/contingency DBS under the establishment of the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Kiphire, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Longleng, and Peren districts. The petitioners were appointed between the years 1997 to 2014 and were all paid a fixed amount.
During the hearing on May 22, Justice Sema directed the issuance of notice to the respondents returnable within four weeks and listed the matter again after four weeks.
