Srinagar: The J&K High Court has issued a notice to authorities for response over a fresh plea filed by casual labourers of Jal Shakti Department seeking release of their hard earned wages pending since the last 10 years.

The court of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey issued notice for response from Jammu and Kashmir government through Commissioner/Secretary Jal Shakti Department and Finance department, Chief Engineer, Kashmir, Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer, Handwara division.

“Present status of the petitioners shall not be disturbed and the legitimately earned wages of the petitioners shall also be released in their favour,” the court said.

Earlier, around 87 casual labourers of the Jal Shakti department petitioned the High Court through Advocate Arif Sikander seeking release of their hard earned wages since they came to be appointed on need basis in 2007.

The petitioners stated that for more than 10 years as on date they have worked in the department as such are invoking the jurisdiction of this court for regularization of their services under SRO 520 dated 2lst December 2017.

The petitioners stated that the Official Respondents have admitted that Petitioners have been working in the department for so many years continuously and are without salary.

It was contended by the petitioners that the Official Respondents have paid the wages to some of the causal workers whose names figure in the aforementioned list, however have not paid wages to the Petitioners.

“The petitioners are aggrieved of the fact that the similarly situated casual labourers have been paid wages but not them,” plea stated.

The petitioners pleaded before the Court that respondents be directed to release their wages and issue any direction which the court feels appropriate.

The court will again hear the matter on 31 May, 2021.

NUSRAT SIDIQ