A division bench of Justice G.S. Sistani and Justice I.S. Mehta asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider the petition of constable Babu Lal Mitharwal for equal pay for equal work.
Disposing off the plea, the bench asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to forward the constable's representation to the Centre for its consideration which will pass a reasoned order within three months.
Constable Mitharwal had moved the High Court saying Chandigarh Police personnel were being paid more salary despite similar duties.
Police constables in Delhi and Chandigarh hold identical posts under the same cadre controlling authority with similar responsibilities, said Mitharwal adding that constables of Delhi Police get a pay band of Rs 5,200-20,200 and grade of Rs 2,000, while their counterparts in Chandigarh Police were getting a pay band of Rs 10,300-34,800 and grade pay of Rs 3,200.
Advocate Gyanant Kumar Singh, appearing for Mitharwal, told the court that the basic qualification, method of recruitment and level of physical standard being the same for Delhi Police and Chandigarh Police, no discrimination can be made.
The nature of the job of Delhi Police is much more arduous as compared to Chandigarh Police owing to enhanced risks in discharge of duties, said the plea.
Mitharwal had approached the High Court after the Central Administrative Tribunal turned down his plea.
