New Delhi: The Supreme Court today observed that states should be penalised for non payment of salaries of doctors in statutory quarantine. The court ordered that all such dues should be paid by August 10.
The court’s bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing an urgent impleadment application by United Resident and Doctor’s Association (URDA) which said that urgent intervention by the court was needed as salaries for many states have not been paid and low risk classification is being made between doctors.
This goes against the top court’s order of June 17, which had directed all states to strictly pay salaries to all doctors and health workers. Despite the court’s order, the application states that the salaries have not been paid by some states.
Senior Advocate KV Vishwanathan, arguing for the petitioner, said that this high risk and low risk classification has no basis.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that following the court’s June 17 order, Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tripura and Karnataka are yet to comply with the order.
Justice MR Shah shot back and said that the SG has to see to it that the order is followed. “You have power under DM Act,” the court reminded the SG.
The SG said that the doctor petitioner was speaking like a lawyer.
Justice MR Shah asked how can there be a deduction of salaries for compulsory quarantine.
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The SG assured the court that he would see to it this is made “part of their duty.”
The case has been listed for August 10, the deadline of payment of salaries.
Read the Order here;
10852-2020-35-7-23191-Order-31-Jul-2020– India Legal Bureau