Delhi govt draws HC ire for not enhancing tribunal head's pay

The Delhi High Court today pulled up the city government for not complying with its order to "immediately enhance" the salary of a retired Additional District Judge who is presiding officer of two appellate tribunals.
A bench of justices B D Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva warned Delhi government that it is "contemplating issuing of contempt notices" for non-compliance of its order but is deferring the same by a week to give an opportunity to the authorities to comply with its direction.
"Can't go on like this. Our direction of January 28 has not been complied with by government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). We are contemplating issuing of contempt notices.

"However, we are deferring the same by a week to give an opportunity to GNCTD to comply with the direction," the court said and listed the matter for further hearing on March 19.
The court made the observations after Delhi government informed it that the file for enhancement of the tribunal head's salary has been placed before the Lt Governor for his approval.
The court had on January 28 termed as "thoroughly inadequate" a salary of Rs 35,915 the city government proposed to pay to retired ADJ V K Maheshwari, the presiding officer of Delhi Schools Tribunal (DST) and State Transport Appellate Tribunal (STAT).

It was hearing a plea filed on behalf of Maheshwari by advocate Sanjeev Ralli, in which it has been claimed that the tribunal head had not been paid any salary since his appointment in May 1, 2014.

The petition had contended that no guidelines have been framed for laying down the terms and conditions of appointment to such posts and sought directions to the authorities to initiate and complete this process.
Subsequent to filing of the plea, on the directions of the court, the city government had arrived at a figure of Rs 35,915 to be paid to Maheshwari.
However, the court had termed the amount as inadequate and directed that it be enhanced.

Maheshwari, a retired officer of Delhi Higher Judicial Service, was appointed the presiding officer of DST for three years and later given the additional charge of STAT as well.