Madurai: Observing the huge difference in the salaries of employees of the government and private firms, the Madras High Court questioned the State government seeking an explanation on the indifference.
While hearing a plaint filed on the pay disparity and also on the context of government employees and teachers striking against it, Justices N Kirubakaran and S S Sundar yesterday stated, ‘as they talk so much about their rights, they should also discharge their duties.’
Counsel for Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTO-GEO) submitted a letter stated that despite time being granted to bring parity in salaries and guidelines being issued to the authorities, the government failed to act on the directions received.
Countering which the government counsel argued that 71 paise of every rupee earned by the government is being spent on its employees. ‘the state administration was taking steps to bridge the pay gap,’ said the counsel.
“After implementation every pay commission recommendations, the gap between the government and private employees is widening,” the bench noted.
The judges ruled that the demands of the employees is as important as their work.
The bench also questioned the implementation of a rule ensuring that the wards of government employees study in state-run educational institutions.
Those who studied in private schools were seeking admission in government colleges, the bench said.