SC stays Covid tests on bodies

High Court wondered how TS can hold pensions, as there are no legal provisions ● THE HC had two ago back questioned the Telangana state government as to how it could defer payment of pensions and salaries to pensioner and government staff without declari

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed Telangana High Court order directing a mandatory Covid test on all the dead bodies before they are moved out by the government hospitals for last rites. Issuing notice on a plea by Telangana government against a High Court order, a bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.R.Shah described the High Court order as “premature”.

The Telangana state government on Wednesday defended in High Court its issuing of ordinance to defer in part payment of remuneration or pension to any employee or pensioner in the event of disaster and public health emergency in the state.

Advocate General B.S. Prasad informed the division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh

Chauhan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy that the Governor of Telangana State has duly promulgated the ordinance and the same had been published in the Telangana Gazette.

The High Court had two ago back questioned the Telangana state government as to how it could defer payment of pensions and salaries to pensioner and government employees without declaring Financial Emergency in the state.

The court wondered how the state could hold pensions, as there are no legal provisions or laws that support the government from doing so. It sought the government’s contention in this regard within two days.

When the PIL and petitions challenging the deferment came up for hearing on Wednesday, the Advocate General informed the court about the ordinance being issued.

At this stage, Chikkudu Prabhakar, counsel for petitioners, requested the court that it allow petitioners to amend their petition as challenging the ordinance issued recently, whereas the petition was challenging only deferment of pensions.

The matter has been adjourned to next week.