Consider a salary hike for Delhi Police, HC tells Centre

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to consider enhancing the salary of its 80,000-strong Delhi Police, to bring it on a par with the Chandigarh Police.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to consider enhancing the salary of its 80,000-strong Delhi Police, to bring it on a par with the Chandigarh Police.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to consider enhancing the salary of its 80,000-strong Delhi Police force, to bring it on a par with the Chandigarh Police.(Ravi Choudhary/Hindustan Times)

A bench comprising Justice GS Sistani and Justice IS Mehta asked the central government to consider a petition filed by constable Babu Lal Mitharwal, claiming right to ‘equal pay for equal work’ and pass a reasoned order within three months.

The bench said the Delhi commissioner of police would forward Mitharwal’s representation to the home ministry for consideration.

The Delhi Police is under the administrative control of the home ministry.

Constable Mitharwal contended that his counterparts in the Chandigarh Police were being paid more salary than him, despite their duties being similar.

He argued that constables in Delhi and Chandigarh held identical posts under the same cadre, with similar responsibilities.

“Article 39(d) of the Constitution stipulates ‘equal pay for equal work for both men and women’ as a Directive Principle of State Policy,” his plea argued.

Advocate Gyanant Kumar Singh, appearing for Mitharwal, argued that a Delhi Police constable gets a pay band of Rs 5,200-20,200 and grade of Rs 2,000, while their counterparts in the Chandigarh Police received a pay band of Rs 10,300-34,800 and grade pay of Rs 3,200.

Gyanant contended that the basic qualification, method of recruitment and level of physical standard being the same for the Delhi and Chandigarh Police, no discrimination could be made.

He argued that the nature of job of the Delhi Police was more arduous compared to that of Chandigarh Police, owing to more risks in the discharge of duties.

The plea said Delhi Police could be put on a higher pedestal because of the nature of its job, which included providing protection and security to national leaders, VIPs and foreign missions and diplomats as well as law and order situations in connection with demonstrations, processions and national functions such as Republic Day and Independence Day.

The high court said if constable Mitharwal was aggrieved by the decision of the government, he could challenge it again before the court.