HC directs TN govt to issue orders on salary for contract nurses

The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to issue orders enhancing the monthly salary of contract nurses from Rs 7,700 to Rs 14,000 with an annual increment of Rs 500 within two weeks.

The first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice PT Asha passed the interim orders on a PIL filed by N Ganesh, seeking to restrain the nurses from resorting to strikes demanding regularisation of their services.

It then posted the matter to July 2 and asked the government to submit the compliance report on that date.

Referring to the counter affidavit filed by Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, U Anbu, the bench said, "We are informed that a proposal was sent to the Government of India for the revision of salary of the contract staff nurses and the Government of India has approved the same.

"Orders enhancing the salary from Rs 7,700 to Rs 14,000, with an annual increment of Rs 500, will be issued shortly. Necessary orders shall be passed within a period of two weeks."
"In the case of the nurses performing same duties, equal remuneration will have to be paid. The total exercise has to be completed by the core committee within a period of six months from today."