Home Guards file fresh case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 18 2018:
Even as the Supreme Court and the High Court of Manipur passed judgements which directed the State Government to hike the salaries of Home Guard personnel to the scale given to Police Constables at the time of joining service, the State Government paid no heed.
Subsequently, the Manipur Home Guard Welfare Association has filed a fresh case at the High Court of Manipur.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Manipur Home Guard Welfare Association president Y Mangi decried that Home Guard personnel have been paid pittance as salary even though they are often used just like a police personnel.
The association filed a petition at the High Court of Manipur praying to issue a directive to the State Government for compliance with a judgement passed by the Supreme Court on March 11, 2015.Subsequently, the High Court issued a ruling on January 12, 2017 which directed the State Government to comply with the Supreme Court order within three months.
As the State Government failed to pay any heed to the High Court's ruling, a contempt of Court case was filed, Mangi said.
Soon after the High Court took up contempt of Court proceedings, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) issued an order on February 12 whereby the salary of Home Guard personnel was hiked to Rs 7730 (basic pay Rs 5800 and grade pay Rs 1900).With the Manipur Home Guard Welfare Association confused over whether the recent salary hike was done in compliance with the Supreme Court order or it was something totally different, the association filed a fresh case at the High Court.
The matter has been listed for hearing on February 21.Advocate Th Roshan would represent the petitioner while Advocate L Raju would appear on behalf of respondent no 1, Additional Chief Secretary (Home).
In accordance with the judgements passed by the Supreme Court and the High Court' of Manipur, Home Guard personnel have been expecting money salary of Rs 20,702 which is entitled to Police Constables at the time of joining service, informed a source.