Explorer

'Public Servants Are Like Schoolchildren': Madras HC On 'Double Wage' Plea For Working On Holiday

The court made the comments while disposing of a petition by members of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Employees Union seeking "double wages" for having had to work on April 14, 2018, a declared holiday.

New Delhi: The Madras High Court, while dealing with a petition filed by Kudankulam Nuclear Power Employees Union seeking “double wages” for working on a holiday, said that public servants are like school children, they always look forward to public holidays and exemption from work, Bar and Bench reported.

Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court said that while the state had declared April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti, a public holiday as a mark of respect to the sentiments of citizens, Dr. Ambedkar himself would have wished for people to work more. 

"Public servants are like school children. Grant of holidays and exemption from work are always welcome. Dr Ambedkar was someone who would have wanted people to work hard instead of declaring a holiday on his anniversary. We followed a system of sentiments and symbolism and believing in courtesy instead of efficiency," the court said.

READ | Karnataka Polls: Ex-CM Shettar Quits BJP, Congress Denies 2nd Ticket To Siddaramaiah. Latest Developments

The court made the comments while disposing of a petition by members of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Employees Union seeking "double wages" for having had to work on April 14, 2018, a declared holiday.

Though the court directed the project director to grant the claimed monetary benefits, it said, "Courtesy rather than efficiency is our hallmark. Like Bharat Ratna Shri. APJ Abdul Kalam, he (Ambedkar) too would have said don't declare holiday on my death, instead work an extra day, if you love me." 

It is to be noted that the trade union members had moved the Madras High Court seeking double wages for round-the-clock shift workers who had worked on Ambedkar Jayanti that fell on a second Saturday in 2018. The management had rejected their claim saying since the workers were already given the benefit of working on a holiday, their demand of twice the wage could not be fulfilled.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

President Appoints Governors In 5 States, Ajay Bhalla Named Manipur Guv, Arif Mohammed Khan Shifted To Bihar
President Appoints Governors In 5 States, Ajay Bhalla Named Manipur Guv, Arif Shifted To Bihar
Delhi: Congress Releases Second List Of 26 Candidates, Names Ex-AAP MLAs Asim Khan, Devinder Sehrawat
Delhi Elections: Congress Releases Second List Of 26 Candidates, Fields 2 AAP Turncoats
5 Jawans Killed After Army Vehicle Falls Into Gorge In J&K's Poonch, Several Others Injured
5 Jawans Killed After Army Vehicle Falls Into Gorge In J&K's Poonch, Several Others Injured
Goa Braces For Beef Shortage Amid Festive Season As Traders Begin Strike Over ‘Harassment’ By Cow Vigilantes
Goa Braces For Beef Shortage Amid Festive Season As Traders Begin Strike Against Cow Vigilantes
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Manu Bhaker expresses disappointment after not being included in Khel Ratna Award listKumar Vishwas targets Shatrughan Sinha family, sparks controversy with remarks on RamayanaDelhi Govt. issues guidelines regarding illegal Bangladeshi student admissions in schoolsSambhal News: Shahi Jama Masjid survey report won't be presented today, technical revisions ongoing

Photo Gallery

Embed widget