The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered to give the benefit of the revised pay scale to the employees posted in the fire department as per the notification issued by the government. The court directed the Principal Secretary (Home) to take appropriate action within three weeks on the recommendation of the Additional Director General of Police-cum-Director Fire Services dated September 5, 2022.
Justice Sandeep Sharma said that if the fireman category is found eligible, then they should be considered for pay revision from the due date as per the notification of September 27, 2012. The High Court said that when the constable category has been given the benefit of pay revision, there is no reason to keep the firemen out of it.
Especially when their duties and responsibilities are similar to those of constables. The court has rejected the state’s argument that it is the prerogative of the employer to fix the pay scale. The court said that if a pay revision is done on the basis of factors like an increase in the price index, then the same consideration should apply to firemen as well.
It was argued in the petition that the pay scale of various third-class posts was revised by the government in the year 2012, including constables, but the benefits were not given. The petitioner was appointed as a fireman on a contract basis in September 2012. His services were regularized by the department in 2020. The petitioner is currently working in the pay scale of 5910-20200 with a grade pay of Rs 1900. The petitioner is entitled to a pay scale of Rs 10300-34800 and a grade pay of Rs 3200.