Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has issued a stern warning to state government officials, directing that if pension and salary arrears are not paid to 15 petitioners by the next hearing date of June 22, the salary of the Director of Higher Education will be frozen.
Court Expresses Displeasure Over Continued Non-Payment
Justice Deepak Roshan of the Jharkhand High Court, while hearing a contempt petition filed by Basant Kumar Sahu and 14 other petitioners, expressed strong displeasure over the state government’s failure to comply with court orders. The court remarked that denying benefits to employees who served for four decades even after their retirement is unjust and unacceptable.
Director Appeared Four Times, Made Promises But Did Not Pay
The Director of Higher Education had appeared before the court four times, including virtually, and had given undertakings on three previous occasions assuring payment of pension and arrears. He had also informed the court that a committee had been formed to ensure payment within 16 weeks, following which the court had directed settlement within 12 weeks. Despite these assurances, no payment was made.
Background of the Case
The petitioners were Class III and Class IV employees of BN Jalan College and Sisai Gumla who retired in 2022-23. While Ranchi University had recognised their service adjustment in 2005, the Higher Education Department refused to grant approval, leaving them stuck at the fourth pay scale while their peers received the benefit of the seventh pay scale. The High Court’s single bench had ordered payment of pension and arrears in 2024, and again in 2025 following a contempt petition, but the order remained unimplemented.
