THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has said that the order of the Supreme Court regarding the salary challenge is a backlash against the State government’s arrogance.

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the high court order that had cancelled the clause in the government order that those who don’t take part in the salary challenge should submit their disagreement letter.

“It is Chief Minister’s adamance that took the case to the Supreme Court. The court expense should be extracted from the chief minister’s salary,” he said.

Chennithala said that the Supreme Court’s was an order the government had asked for and got it. “Since the court has observed that the disagreement letter affected the self-respect of employees, the government should return the disagreement letters already received from them. Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac should apologise to the people who tried to degrade the people who didn’t want to take part in salary challenge.

Salary challenge could only create a divide among the people who stood united in the aftermath of floods. The government should amend its order to protect the self-respect and integrity of employees. As the apex court itself has expressed doubt over proper use of money collected in the name of flood relief fund, the demand for separate account has gained importance,” Chennithala said.