HC notice to Punjab on plea challenging probation for teachers

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday put Punjab government on notice on a petition by 152 odd teachers, seeking quashing of the January 15, 2015, notification, which mandated that employees recruited on regular basis shall get only basic salary as emoluments during three years of probation period.

The high court division bench has sought response by September 25 on the petitions of these teachers, comprising lecturers, masters and elementary teachers, who were recruited in 2016. They have also challenged subsequent notifications about the three-year probation, during which they shall get fixed monthly emoluments equal to their starting basic pay.

One of the notifications also provided for they not being entitled for grade pay, allowances, including dearness allowance and that the three year period shall not be counted towards permanent service, after they complete probation period.

The court was informed that the petitioners are losing ₹30,000 or more per month due to this “arbitrary and illegal” notification. Its provisions are violative of the latest judgment of Supreme Court which mandates that irrespective of designation or nomenclature, all employees performing same duties are entitled to same pay on the basis of “equal pay for equal work”, the court was told.