'Rs 18,600 monthly wage for prisoners, Rs 12,500 for pre-primary teachers'; University teachers file affidavit in HC

KOCHI: The petitioners moved the High Court alleging that the government, which increased the remuneration of prisoners, is denying dearness allowance (DA) arrears to employees and teachers. This argument was made in the reply affidavit filed by N. Mahesh, state president of the Federation of All Kerala University Employees Organizations, opposing the government's affidavit that DA cannot be claimed as a matter of right.

"The position that DA is not a matter of right is illegal. DA arrears have been granted to civil service officers and judicial officers. This is discrimination. The justification that the petitions against the central government's refusal to allow loans are pending in the Supreme Court cannot be accepted." The petition also states that DA cannot be denied on the grounds of financial crisis.

The Chief Minister admitted in the Assembly that seven instalments of DA are to be paid. However, the government says in its affidavit that there are no arrears. Justice N. Nagaresh has adjourned the petition seeking the immediate release of revised dearness allowance arrears of university employees for consideration on Friday. The petitioners demand that at least 25 per cent of the arrears since January 2021 be released immediately.

To refute the claim of economic crisis, the pre-primary teachers submitted the government circular that increased the salaries of the prisoners. The honorarium of pre-primary teachers and teachers has been increased with the previous effect according to a High Court single bench verdict. The government's claim is that the High Court verdict will impose a financial burden on the government.

“If the prisoner is a skilled worker, he will get Rs. 18,600 per month. There are no other expenses. Pre-primary teachers get Rs. 12,500, and school helper gets Rs. 7,500. The prisoners are offered a variety of food on their menu, while the government has still not able to provide funds for the children's midday meal program,” according to the affidavit.