In a significant verdict, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has clarified that the government cannot assign an employee the duties of a higher post while simultaneously denying them the financial benefits associated with that position. The Court directed that principals who have served as District Education Officers (DEOs) must be granted the salary and allowances corresponding to the DEO post for the duration of such service. This judgment was delivered by a Single Bench comprising Justice Namit Kumar.
The Court observed that since it is undisputed that the petitioners discharged the responsibilities of a higher post, it is the State’s legal obligation to extend to them all financial benefits linked to that position. The Court further noted that the principle of “equal pay for equal work” applies fully in the context of this case. In this matter, the Court was approached by several petitioners—including Sarabjit Singh, an employee of the Punjab Education Department—who contended that while they were assigned the charge of a DEO through various official orders, they were not accorded the salary and allowances commensurate with that post.
The petitioners pointed out that while some of them subsequently received promotions and others have since retired, they have yet to receive payment for the specific period during which they performed the duties of the higher post. The Court has directed the concerned authorities to calculate and disburse all arrears of salary and other benefits due to the petitioners within a period of three months.
