Akku-Leela case: Despite SC order, state govt fails to pay in full
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Dec 10: Kinnimulki resident Akku and Chitpadi resident Leela were employed as temporary cleaning staff at Government Women Teachers’ Training Institute of Udupi for a monthly salary of Rs 15 in 1971.
They had sent a petition asking the concerned to confirm their employment and pay full salary, but there was no action. Though there were clear orders by the government to confirm the services of temporary employees who have continuously worked for more than ten years prior to 1984, their petition was rejected.
They then lodged a complaint with the Karnataka legal tribunal under the guidance of human rights organization. The department of education removed them from service for their action. They continued their service without salary and retired from service in 2011. A press conference was held by Dr Ravindranath Shanbhogue, president of Human Rights organization, Udupi unit at Vaikunta Baliga Law college on Monday, December 10 to disclose their plight.
The legal tribunal in 2003 ordered that the services of two employees be confirmed and asked the concerned to pay salary from 1971 like others. The state government questioned the verdict in the high court. The high court upheld the verdict of the legal tribunal and asked the government to follow it. The government which took the matter to the Supreme Court got insulted there too. The government has however not adhered to the verdicts of the courts.
The human rights protection forum at Udupi filed a case of contempt of court against the state government in last June for not having adhered to the orders of the Supreme Court for the last four years. As the government failed to act even after giving them time till September and October, the Supreme Court issued a warning. The department which has obtained a clue that the secretary of the department and other officials may get arrested has now awakened.
The education department secretary, S B Patagar has directed the officials to pay Rs 2,21,296 each to Akku and Leela based on the basic salary from 1998 to 2003 March.
The officials have however not considered confirmation of their services prior to it. The department has come forward to pay the arrears for five years instead of 42 years (which would amount to Rs 27 lac). The human rights forum has decided to bring the matter to the notice of Supreme Court, said Dr Ravindranath Shanbhogue, president of Human Rights forum at Udupi.
Akku has said that her husband is ill and at home. Out of her two sons, one works as a painter and the other a pygmy collector. Out of her three daughters, one is married and other two are yet to be married.
Leela says that her husband, who was working as a sweeper, is now retired and is working as a laborer. Their family with three daughters is having a meager income.
Dr Ravindranath Shanbhogue has said that more than 750 workers are working for Rs 15 per month for the last 42 years. Padma, employed in Malpe government pre University College and Mangalore’s Elizabeth are included in them. They hope to receive full emoluments. Most of them are now retired.
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