MP HC Quashes Gram Rozgar Sahayak’s 30-Day Salary Cut, Says No Notice Covered The Alleged April 2025 Absence

The petitioner, a Gram Rozgar Sahayak posted at Gram Panchayat Durjanpura, challenged an order dated 7 May 2025 deducting his salary for April 2025 on a “no work no pay” basis.

He alleged that inadequate infrastructure prevented him from properly implementing government schemes and that he had received no opportunity to respond before the deduction.

The State relied on earlier show-cause notices concerning absence in September 2024 and on notices and communications issued after the impugned order.

The petitioner also stated that salary had not been paid after April 2025.

The Court applied the principles of natural justice, holding that where an order imposes financial loss and is stigmatic—by attributing unauthorised absence or misconduct—the affected employee must be given a proper opportunity to respond before the order is made.

It also referred to the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Rojgar Guarantee Parishad policy dated 24 June 2025, which provides a procedure for disciplinary action against Gram Rozgar Sahayaks.

The impugned order stated that the petitioner had remained unauthorisedly absent and deducted his salary for April 2025, making it stigmatic and financially adverse.

The two notices relied on by the State predated the relevant salary period and concerned earlier alleged absence; the other notices were issued after the impugned order.

The Court therefore found that no notice had been given to the petitioner to explain the alleged absence or non-implementation of schemes during April 2025.

In those circumstances, the deduction was made in breach of natural justice and without following the applicable procedure.

It permitted the respondents to take appropriate action after following the procedure in the policy and the principles of natural justice.

It also directed the respondents to examine the petitioner’s claim for unpaid salary after April 2025 and, if his service had not been discontinued, ensure payment according to his entitlement.

The petition was disposed of.