In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed contempt proceedings against forest department officials in Uttar Pradesh for non-compliance with prior orders directing payment of minimum pay-scale to daily wagers. Relying on the principle of equal pay for equal work, the Court held that daily wagers performing similar duties are entitled to the minimum pay-scale of their government counterparts, without allowances or increments. The Court directed the State to implement these orders within one month and directed the High Court to supervise regularisation of daily wagers within three months. Non-compliance would result in senior officials being unable to draw salaries without High Court permission. Appeals were disposed of with no order as to costs.
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