Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha remains noncommittal on the High Court verdict quashing the fixed pay system, directing regular pay scales and arrears for employees, as the state weighs legal, financial, and administrative implications.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday maintained a cautious and noncommittal stance on the recent Tripura High Court verdict that struck down the state’s long-standing fixed pay system for government employees, particularly teachers, calling the policy unconstitutional.
Addressing media queries, the Chief Minister stated that the state government has not yet reached a final decision regarding the High Court’s directive, which ordered the government to grant regular pay scale benefits to employees from their first day of appointment and to release arrears within a stipulated timeframe.
The verdict was delivered by a Division Bench of the Tripura High Court comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit. The Bench ruled in favor of petitioners who challenged the policy of placing government teachers on a fixed pay for the first five years of service despite their having fulfilled all eligibility criteria, including passing required examinations.
The Court held that the fixed pay arrangement violated constitutional principles, particularly those relating to equality, fairness, and equal pay for equal work. The judgment has been widely welcomed by teachers and other government employees who have long protested against the policy.
However, Dr. Saha emphasized that the matter is still under deliberation. “These issues are being discussed at appropriate levels. We are in talks with Ministers and senior officers to determine our next course of action,” the Chief Minister said.
Clarifying the government’s position, Dr. Saha pointed out that the current administration did not introduce the fixed pay system. “We didn’t introduce this fixed pay system. It has both advantages and disadvantages. Nothing was done without reason. There must have been certain justifications that led the previous government to adopt such measures,” he added.
When asked whether the state government plans to challenge the High Court verdict by filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister remained noncommittal, stating, “It is yet to be decided.”
The issue has gained further political and administrative significance amid demands from SSA teachers and other affected employees, who are urging the state government to withdraw existing or proposed legal challenges against similar High Court orders.
Responding to these demands, Dr. Saha acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “These matters are extremely critical in nature. No unilateral decision can resolve them. States like Tripura face perennial resource constraints. Any hasty decision may prove detrimental. The government also has to survive,” he said.
The financial implications of implementing the High Court’s directive are significant, as granting regular pay scales retrospectively would involve substantial arrears. Officials indicate that the government is carefully assessing the fiscal burden before making any final commitment.
Meanwhile, the High Court verdict has been hailed by teachers’ associations and employee unions, who described it as a landmark ruling against exploitative employment practices. They also criticized the previous Left Front government for frequently approaching the Supreme Court through SLPs whenever High Court judgments favored employees.
According to employee representatives, such legal challenges not only delayed justice but also drained the state exchequer due to high legal expenses in Delhi. One of the most consequential outcomes of this approach, they recalled, was the termination of 10,323 teachers following an adverse Supreme Court ruling—a decision that had far-reaching social, educational, and political repercussions in the state.
Many employees fear that a similar course of action could once again prolong uncertainty and financial hardship. They argue that accepting the High Court verdict would restore faith in constitutional governance and improve morale among government workers.
| Also Read: Tripura HC strikes down fixed pay, Orders regular salary for Teachers |
Political observers believe the ruling BJP-led government is walking a tightrope, balancing judicial compliance, fiscal prudence, and political accountability. The Chief Minister’s cautious remarks indicate that the government is keen to avoid precipitate decisions that could either strain state finances or alienate a large section of employees.
As discussions continue at various levels of government, all eyes remain on whether Tripura will accept the High Court’s ruling or seek redress in the Supreme Court. Until a final decision is taken, thousands of employees remain hopeful yet uncertain about the future of their pay and service conditions.
