SHIMLA, April 9: — The Himachal Pradesh High Court has sharply criticized the state government for failing to implement a 20% pay hike for its non-gazetted employees, despite the directive being upheld by the Supreme Court. The court gave the government two weeks to comply or face personal accountability from top officials.
A division bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sandeep Sharma issued the order on April 7 while hearing an execution petition filed by the High Court Non-Gazetted Employees Union. The union approached the court after the government failed to act on a previous judgment and a Supreme Court directive that mandated the hike be disbursed in four instalments.
“We are clearly of the view that the respondents (State) are deliberately avoiding to implement the decision rendered by this Court, as affirmed by the Supreme Court,” the bench stated.
The judges noted that a committee formed by the high court—whose constitution was upheld by the apex court—had recommended the increment and arrears. However, the state delayed issuing a formal notification, citing the need for further departmental approvals. The court dismissed this reasoning, calling it a “misadventure.”
“The State was only required to issue a formal notification… and there was no question whatsoever to obtain further approval from any of the advisory departments,” the bench ruled, adding that such delays could amount to contempt of court, though it refrained from invoking contempt “at this stage.”
The court has summoned the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to appear with all relevant records if compliance is not met by April 23.
The pay revision, initially allowed in January 2023, stems from a 2018 demand seeking parity with employees of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
