By IANS,
New Delhi : Slamming the Delhi University’s action to scale down the salary of a Kirori Mal College lab assistant and demanding refund of the earlier paid amount, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the university, said a senior lawyer Tuesday.
Notice to the university came after the court heard the petition of Shahji Kumar, who was initially offered a pay-scale of Rs.4,500- Rs.7,000 in 1999-2000, but was recently informed by the university of a salary revision and demand that he pay back Rs.4 lakh of his emoulments that he earned in the last 11 years.
“The present writ petition is directed against the arbitrary, unjust, unreasonable and without jurisdiction action of respondents (Delhi University and Kirori Mal College),” R.K. Saini, counsel for Kumar, told IANS, adding that the lower pay-scale and recovery of about Rs.4 lakh without a notice was illegal.
Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw in his order said: “Issue notice to Delhi university. Till then no steps for recovery of Rs.4 lakh stated to be due from the petitioner be taken.”
The court, meanwhile, has fixed July 29 as the next date of hearing.
Kumar was appointed a junior laboratory attentant in the department of zoology in 1992 at Kirori Mal College. Later, he was confirmed as laboratory assistant. He was promoted as lab assistant in 1999-2000 on a pay-scale of Rs.4,000-Rs.6,000 which was subsequently changed to Rs.4,500-7,000.
However, between April 8-13 Kumar received a letter from the college that the university has refused permission to fix the pay scale at Rs.4,500-7,000 for him.
“April 5 letter of the DU speaks that on basis of a certain decision of the Executive Council and circular of the university, has held the petitioner not eligible for the pay scale of Rs.4,500- Rs.7,000,” said petitioner counsel Saini.
“Consequently, the Kirori Mal College has asked Kumar to refund the sum of around Rs.4 lakh received by Kumar in excess,” said Saini.
Aggrieved with the university’s action, Kumar had filed the petition in the high court.