BENGALURU: The High Court has directed the Commissioner of Muzrai Department to deposit `35 lakh with the court or personally be present during the next date of hearing in connection with a contempt petition filed by the employees of Sri Kukke Subramanya Temple in Dakshina Kannada district.
A division bench of Justices Jayant Patel and S Sujatha on Friday issued this direction after hearing the contempt petition filed by Devaki and other employees of Sri Kukke Subramanya Temple.
The petitioners have filed a contempt petition against the Muzrai department and the temple as they did not comply with the directions of a single-judge bench which asked them to give the benefits of the Fifth and Sixth Pay Commissions to the petitioners.
During the hearing on Friday, Government Advocate E S Indiresh sought time contending that a writ appeal was filed against the single-judge bench order and a review application is to be filed.
Taking note of it, the bench adjourned the hearing to March 7, 2017, on the condition that without prejudice to the rights and contentions of Muzrai department in the review petition, the accused commissioner shall deposit Rs 35 lakh with the court.
Devaki and 21 other employees working in Sri Kukke Subramanya Temple had filed the petition seeking directions to the Commissioner, Muzrai Department, to consider extending the Fifth and Sixth Pay Commission benefits to them as per the circular dated October 31, 2012, including arrears.
According to the petitioners’ advocate H Pavanachandra Shetty, they were appointed as temporary workers in various posts in 2005-06 but were not been given the benefits of the October 2012 circular.
The government had directed that those who have completed five years of continuous service shall be sanctioned the pay scales of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ grades.